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A food addiction is a behavioral addiction that is characterized by the compulsive over-consumption of high fat or sugary foods – the two types which markedly activate the reward system in humans and other animals – despite adverse consequences.〔"(Table 1 )"〕 Sugar and high fat food have both been shown to increase the expression of ΔFosB, an addiction biomarker, in the D1-type medium spiny neurons of the nucleus accumbens;〔 however, there is very little research on the synaptic plasticity from compulsive food consumption, a phenomenon which is known to be caused by ΔFosB overexpression.〔 Psychological dependence has also been observed with the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms when consumption of these foods stops by replacement with low fat or sugar food. Professionals address this disorder by means of behavior therapy. ==Description== Food addiction, refers to compulsive overeaters who engage in frequent episodes of uncontrolled eating (binge eating). The term ''(binge eating)'' means eating an unhealthy amount of food while feeling that one's sense of control has been lost. People who engage in binge eating may feel frenzied, and consume a considerable amount of calories before stopping. The after effects of bingeing in this way is generally followed by feelings of guilt and depression; for example,〔 some will cancel their plans for the next day because they "feel fat." Binge eating also has implications on physical health, due to excessive intake of fats and sugars, which can cause numerous health problems. Unlike individuals with bulimia nervosa, compulsive overeaters do not attempt to compensate for their bingeing with purging behaviors, such as fasting, laxative use, or vomiting. When compulsive overeaters overeat through binge eating and experience feelings of guilt after their binges, they can be said to have binge eating disorder (BED).〔 In addition to binge eating, compulsive overeaters may also engage in grazing behavior, during which they continuously eat throughout the day.〔 These actions result in an excessive overall number of calories consumed, even if the quantities eaten at any one time may be small. During binges, compulsive overeaters may consume between 5,000 and 15,000 food calories daily, (far more than is healthy), resulting in a temporary release from psychological stress through an addictive high not unlike that experienced through drug abuse.〔 Compulsive overeaters tend to show brain changes similar to those of drug addicts, a result of excessive consumption of highly processed foods. For the compulsive overeater, ingesting trigger foods causes the release of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. This could be another indicator that neurobiological factors contribute to the addictive process. Conversely, abstaining from addictive food and food eating processes causes withdrawal symptoms for those with eating disorders.〔 The resulting decreased levels of serotonin in the individual may trigger higher levels of depression and anxiety. Eventually, compulsive overeaters continuously think about food. Food is in the preeminent positions of their minds; when deprived of it, the person may engage in actions similar to those of hard drug addicts, including an uncontrollable search for the substance, and in devious behaviour, such as stealing or lying. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Food addiction」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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