According to new scientific research, one in 200 people may actually be clinically addicted to food.
Apparently there is evidence to suggest that some binge-eaters fit into the criteria for addiction and that food abuse could end up being a diagnosable condition.
What this means is that if food addiction is found to be a physical or psychological addiction, treatment for obesity and other eating disorders would change.
Professor Julian Mercer from the University of Aberdeen said: ‘If we can reach a consensus on how overeating should be classified, this could lead to major change in clinical treatment and public policy surrounding obesity.’
He added: ‘In future, overeating could be recognised as the consequence of food addiction in a small group of individuals, and the treatment they are offered may have convergence with that which is offered to drug/alcohol abusers.’
Certain foods could end up being classed as addictive.
This could also lead to certain foods being classified as being addictive just like alcohol, cigarettes and drugs.
A multi-million euro project has been launched across seven countries to investigate the issue further.
