Introduction

We live in a nation awash with cheap, easy at calories from highly processed convenience foods. Some researchers have begun to argue that these foods are more than just tempting and tasty. They argue some types of food may actually be addictive, high jacking the reward pathways in our brain similar to alcohol or cigarettes. What's the scientific evidence that food addiction is real? How does food addiction compare with other addictions, such as to cigarettes and alcohol? Are some people more likely to struggle with food addiction, and if so, what are the risk factors?