Are Cookies As Addictive As Pizza?
BBC Knowledge (Asia Edition)|April 2016

It’s common to hear people describe themselves as ‘chocoholics’, or say they’re ‘hooked’ on a particular fizzy drink. But is it really possible to be addicted to food? 

Lilian Anekwe
Are Cookies As Addictive As Pizza?

We’re becoming more obese, as a society. Is this because some of us are becoming addicted to certain foods? One study, at Connecticut College in 2013, suggested that Oreos were “as addictive as cocaine,” and certainly, some people who are overweight exhibit behaviours associated with addiction, such as an inability to avoid particular foods and a tendency to over consume at times of stress. But this is not true of all overweight individuals. So does ‘food addiction’ actually exist?

To answer that, we first need to understand what addiction is. The criteria for diagnosing substance addiction disorders in the Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders include developing a tolerance, having withdrawal symptoms and becoming dependent. The latest version, DSM-5, added: “craving or a strong desire or urge to use a substance”.

The involvement of the brain is key to diagnosing addiction. Addiction affects areas of the brain that are linked to pleasure, reward and decision-making. It also affects neurotransmitters, the chemical signals used for communication between brain cells and brain regions. Over time, memory of previous exposures to rewards (eg: food, sex, alcohol or drugs) leads to a biological response, such as cravings.

The best tool that researchers have for applying all this to food is the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS). This 25-point questionnaire was developed in 2009 by Ashley Gearhardt, an assistant professor of clinical psychology at the University of Michigan. She believes addictive processes do play a role in eating-related problems.

Esta historia es de la edición April 2016 de BBC Knowledge (Asia Edition).

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición April 2016 de BBC Knowledge (Asia Edition).

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE BBC KNOWLEDGE (ASIA EDITION)Ver todo
World's First Malaria Vaccine
BBC Earth

World's First Malaria Vaccine

The World Health Organization’s director-general hails ‘historic moment’ as mass immunisation of African children begins

time-read
2 minutos  |
Volume 14 - Issue 2
Is River Pollution Putting The Species In Jeopardy Again?
BBC Earth

Is River Pollution Putting The Species In Jeopardy Again?

Ten years ago, it was jubilantly announced that o ers had returned to every county in England. But is river pollution putting the species in jeopardy again?

time-read
10+ minutos  |
Volume 14 - Issue 2
The Big Burnout
BBC Earth

The Big Burnout

Long hours, low pay and a lack of appreciation — among other things — can make for a stressful workplace and lead to burnout. It’s something we should all be concerned about, because over half of the workforce reports feeling it

time-read
10 minutos  |
Volume 14 - Issue 2
Putting Nature To Rights
BBC Earth

Putting Nature To Rights

More countries are enshrining the right to a clean environment into law. So if a company or government is impinging upon that right, you could take them to court

time-read
10 minutos  |
Volume 14 - Issue 2
Mega Spaceship: Is It Possible For China To Build A Kilometre-Long Spacecraft?
BBC Earth

Mega Spaceship: Is It Possible For China To Build A Kilometre-Long Spacecraft?

Buoyed on by its successful Moon missions, China has launched a five-year study to investigate the possibility of building the biggest-ever spacecraft

time-read
4 minutos  |
Volume 14 - Issue 2
Are We Getting Happier?
BBC Earth

Are We Getting Happier?

Enjoying more good days than bad? Feel like that bounce in your step’s getting bigger? HELEN RUSSELL looks into whether we’re all feeling more cheery…

time-read
3 minutos  |
Volume 14 - Issue 2
“Unless the Japanese got the US off their backs in the Pacific, they believed they would face complete destruction”
BBC Earth

“Unless the Japanese got the US off their backs in the Pacific, they believed they would face complete destruction”

Eighty years ago Japan’s surprise raid on Pearl Harbor forced the US offthe fence and into the Second World War. Ellie Cawthorne is making a new HistoryExtra podcast series about the attack, and she spoke to Christopher Harding about the long roots of Japan’s disastrous decision

time-read
10+ minutos  |
Volume 14 - Issue 2
Your Mysterious Brain
BBC Earth

Your Mysterious Brain

Science has mapped the surface of Mars and translated the code for life. By comparison, we know next to nothing about what’s between our ears. Over the next few pages, we ask leading scientists to answer some of the most important questions about our brains…

time-read
10+ minutos  |
Volume 14 - Issue 2
Why Do We Fall In Love?
BBC Earth

Why Do We Fall In Love?

Is it companionship, procreation or something more? DR ANNA MACHIN reveals what makes us so willing to become targets for Cupid’s arrow

time-read
2 minutos  |
Volume 14 - Issue 2
Detecting the dead
BBC Earth

Detecting the dead

Following personal tragedy, the creator of that most rational of literary figures, Sherlock Holmes, developed an obsession with spiritualism. Fiona Snailham and Anna Maria Barry explore the supernatural interests of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

time-read
7 minutos  |
Volume 14 - Issue 2