Toward consensus: using the Delphi method to form an international expert consensus statement on ultra-processed food addiction
The recognition of an addictive disorder relating to the harmful use of certain foods is being called for by clinicians and researchers, which evidence supports as being distinct from eating disorders (EDs) and obesity. Critics cite a lack of consensus on the validity of associating the term addicti...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1542905/full |
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| author | Jen Unwin Heidi Giaever Nicole Avena Nicole Avena Clarissa Kennedy Molly Painschab Erica M. LaFata |
| author_facet | Jen Unwin Heidi Giaever Nicole Avena Nicole Avena Clarissa Kennedy Molly Painschab Erica M. LaFata |
| author_sort | Jen Unwin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The recognition of an addictive disorder relating to the harmful use of certain foods is being called for by clinicians and researchers, which evidence supports as being distinct from eating disorders (EDs) and obesity. Critics cite a lack of consensus on the validity of associating the term addiction with food, claiming that characteristics of addiction ‘are not observed in the context of eating behaviors’ as a reason to dispute its consideration as a novel diagnosis. It was decided to consult international scientific and clinical experts to review whether it would be possible to reach a consensus around this subject. The 12-month project, using a Delphi method, involved 40 clinicians, researchers and academics, from 10 countries and a team of four facilitators. Consensus was achieved between 37 out of the 40 participants. The discussions during the process demonstrated that it was not only possible to achieve several areas of agreement related to the clinical observation of addiction-like symptoms related to certain foods but also, that existing extensive scientific research findings confirm the biochemical, neurological and behavioral aspects of a substance-use disorder relating specifically to ultra-processed foods, exhibiting strong similarities with other acknowledged substance-use disorders. The consensus may provide a platform for future attempts for formal recognition of ultra-processed food addiction as a diagnosis. Areas for future research are discussed. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b6f74387cf8a4b8d9e8d2f22067935b2 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj-art-b6f74387cf8a4b8d9e8d2f22067935b22025-08-20T02:19:53ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402025-05-011610.3389/fpsyt.2025.15429051542905Toward consensus: using the Delphi method to form an international expert consensus statement on ultra-processed food addictionJen Unwin0Heidi Giaever1Nicole Avena2Nicole Avena3Clarissa Kennedy4Molly Painschab5Erica M. LaFata6The Collaborative Health Community Foundation, Oxford, United KingdomThe Collaborative Health Community Foundation, Oxford, United KingdomIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United StatesPrinceton University, Princeton, NJ, United StatesSweet Sobriety, Belgrade, MT, United StatesSweet Sobriety, Belgrade, MT, United StatesCenter for Weight, Eating, and Lifestyle Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesThe recognition of an addictive disorder relating to the harmful use of certain foods is being called for by clinicians and researchers, which evidence supports as being distinct from eating disorders (EDs) and obesity. Critics cite a lack of consensus on the validity of associating the term addiction with food, claiming that characteristics of addiction ‘are not observed in the context of eating behaviors’ as a reason to dispute its consideration as a novel diagnosis. It was decided to consult international scientific and clinical experts to review whether it would be possible to reach a consensus around this subject. The 12-month project, using a Delphi method, involved 40 clinicians, researchers and academics, from 10 countries and a team of four facilitators. Consensus was achieved between 37 out of the 40 participants. The discussions during the process demonstrated that it was not only possible to achieve several areas of agreement related to the clinical observation of addiction-like symptoms related to certain foods but also, that existing extensive scientific research findings confirm the biochemical, neurological and behavioral aspects of a substance-use disorder relating specifically to ultra-processed foods, exhibiting strong similarities with other acknowledged substance-use disorders. The consensus may provide a platform for future attempts for formal recognition of ultra-processed food addiction as a diagnosis. Areas for future research are discussed.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1542905/fullultra-processed foodaddictionsubstance use disorderconsensusDelphi method |
| spellingShingle | Jen Unwin Heidi Giaever Nicole Avena Nicole Avena Clarissa Kennedy Molly Painschab Erica M. LaFata Toward consensus: using the Delphi method to form an international expert consensus statement on ultra-processed food addiction Frontiers in Psychiatry ultra-processed food addiction substance use disorder consensus Delphi method |
| title | Toward consensus: using the Delphi method to form an international expert consensus statement on ultra-processed food addiction |
| title_full | Toward consensus: using the Delphi method to form an international expert consensus statement on ultra-processed food addiction |
| title_fullStr | Toward consensus: using the Delphi method to form an international expert consensus statement on ultra-processed food addiction |
| title_full_unstemmed | Toward consensus: using the Delphi method to form an international expert consensus statement on ultra-processed food addiction |
| title_short | Toward consensus: using the Delphi method to form an international expert consensus statement on ultra-processed food addiction |
| title_sort | toward consensus using the delphi method to form an international expert consensus statement on ultra processed food addiction |
| topic | ultra-processed food addiction substance use disorder consensus Delphi method |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1542905/full |
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