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STUDIES
Animal models of sugar and fat bingeing allow for a detailed analysis of behaviors and their concomitant physiological effects. The model of sugar bingeing has been used successfully to elicit behavioral and neurochemical signs of dependence in rats; e.g., indices of opiate-like withdrawal, increased intake after abstinence, cross-sensitization with drugs of abuse, and the repeated release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens following repeated bingeing. Studies using the model of fat bingeing suggest that it can produce some, but not all, of the signs of dependence that are seen with sugar binge eating, as well as increased body weight, potentially leading to obesity.
Food addiction is an emerging area of both clinical and research interest. The current review discussed several definitional and conceptual categorisations that have been put forth to quantify food addiction. However, the YFAS 2·0 concept predominates the literature. Similarly, evidence shows some similarities of food addiction with established eating disorders, particularly BED. Thus, the current review supports two main areas of contention that warrant much more research; considering food addiction as a substance-related addiction or a behavioural-related addiction and if food addiction is distinct from established eating disorders. Further research is needed to continue to delineate and clarify controversies about similarities and differences in food addiction with other concepts and established disorders.
Animal Models of sugar and fat bingeing: relationship to to food addiction and increased body weight
Avena, N.M., Bocarsly, Hobel (2012) Animal Models of sugar and fat bingeing: relationship to to food addiction and increased body weight. Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.), 829, 351-365 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-458-223
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