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STUDIES
Research suggests that cultural factors influence eating behaviors; however, little is known about the
relationship between food addiction and culture. This narrative review aimed to (i) review theoretically related work on the relationship between sociocultural demographic variables, food cravings, and eating disorders; (ii) review the available literature assessing cultural aspects of food addiction, specifically the rates of food addiction across the globe and notable differences in relevant sociodemographic variables: race, ethnicity, gender, and acculturation level; (iii) discuss the potential impact of culture on the current understanding of food addiction and future research directions emphasizing the inclusion of sociocultural
variables
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.
Considering Food Addiction through a cultural lens (2020)
Lawson, J.L.; Wiedemann, A.A.; Carr, M.M.; Kerrigan, S.G. Considering Food Addiction through a cultural lens. Curr. Addict.Rep.2020,7, 387–394. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-020-00315-x . Epub 2020 Sep 16
A search of peer-reviewed publications was performed in January 2020 in PsycINFO and PubMed. The following search terms were utilized: (food addiction” OR “addictive eating” OR “compulsive eating” OR “(addictive behaviors” AND “food”) OR “food craving” AND “culture” OR “culturally” OR “acculturation” OR “public opinion” OR “global” OR “self-perceived”). Books were excluded from search results. Reference lists of the studies generated from the above search terms were also examined to identify additional studies that fit the parameters of this narrative review. Papers were included if they were written in English and conducted an empirical study that reported food addiction and/or a sociodemographic variable as an outcome.
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