Food addiction — a behavioral/substance-use-style dependence on food, distinct from general obesity — is hypothesized as a mechanistic link connecting psychiatric disorders to elevated obesity rates and, in turn, to the reduced life expectancy observed in psychiatric patient populations. Epidemiological findings show markedly elevated prevalence of food addiction among people with diagnosed mental disorders relative to the general population, with prevalence varying by diagnostic category (personality disorders, mood disorders, autism/pervasive developmental disorders, substance use disorders, and ADHD/behavioral disorders), situating the concept within psychiatric epidemiology and behavioral addiction research.
Food addiction — a behavioral/substance-use-style dependence on food, distinct from general obesity — is hypothesized as a mechanistic link connecting psychiatric disorders to elevated obesity rates …