Food Addiction: a Deep Dive into ‘Loss of Control’ and ‘Craving’

Purpose of Review The majority of existing research discusses food addiction (FA) classification, which provides information for different groups and which groups may or may not be affected to differing degrees. Fewer studies report FA symptom scores, and fewer still report on individual symptoms. This paper discusses the symptoms of craving and loss of control as they are common FA symptoms that demonstrate similarities with both substance use disorders and some eating disorder pathology. Recent Findings Loss of control presents parallels with disordered eating, particularly binge eating disorder. Craving refers to the powerful or strong desire for something and, in contrast to lack of control, presents most overlap with substance use disorders. Summary While not the most common symptoms reported in published research, loss of control and craving attract attention because of parallels with substance use and eating disorder pathology, and research has increasingly focused on these symptoms in recent years.