Impulsivity and Food Addiction

Abstract The parallels between overconsumption of hyper-palatable foods (i.e., food high in sugar, salt, and fat) and addictive drugs have given rise to the notion of “food addiction.” As substance use disorders have been robustly associated with measures of impulsivity, this chapter reviews the extent to which analogous relationships are present between food addiction and impulsivity. Since impulsivity is a heterogeneous construct comprising independent but conceptually related facets, the current article examines food addiction in relation to three distinct domains: impulsive personality traits, impulsive choice, and impulsive action. To date, robust associations have been reported between food addiction and impulsive personality traits, particularly with sub-facets reflecting difficulties with emotional regulation and impulsive choice, reflecting overvaluation of smaller immediate rewards over larger delayed rewards, with less consistent findings for impulsive action. On balance, these relationships are substantively similar to those observed with drug addiction, supporting the notion that food addiction is an analogous condition, but for hyperpalatable food. Future priorities include longitudinal examinations and investigating the efficacy of impulsivity-focused interventions to treat food addiction.