KINE 4660 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Binge Eating Disorder, Food Addiction, Binge Eating
14 Dec 2015
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It has been argued that some foods are like addictive drugs" in their ability to affect the brain and the behaviour of individuals. Explain this statement and proffer scientific research evidence and examples in support of this claim. One"s body can become addicted to these types of food through the satisfaction of hedonic hunger; the drive to eat beyond caloric need to obtain feelings of pleasure and fulfill positive reinforcement. Ultra processed food is addictive because our bodies like sugar since glucose is quick energy and signals the body that it is safe. Our body also likes fat because it"s double the amount of calories/energy than protein and carbs. They trigger artificially high levels of reward and cause neuro-adaptations by accessing the reward pathway out of our bodies comfort zone-similarly to drugs- which creates tolerance. Like drug addicts, food addicts are resistant to efforts to cut down or stop.
