Fast food may be addictive, say scientists

News in Science - ABC Australia ^ | Feb 3 2003 | Reuters

[vannrox]

	Fast food could be addictive, according to new research

A steady diet of hamburgers, fries and foods high in fat and loaded with calories may not only pile on the pounds - it could also be addictive, say scientists.

Researchers who have been studying the biological effects of fast foods are discovering that they can trigger hormonal changes in the body which could make it difficult to control eating.

"New and potentially explosive findings on the biological effects of fast food suggest that eating yourself into obesity isn't simply down to a lack of self-control," New Scientist magazine said on Wednesday.

Fast food meals can deliver nearly the recommended daily calorie and fat intake in one meal. As people put on weight, they become more resistant to the hormone leptin, which is strongly linked to weight and appetite, and a brain peptide called galanin that stimulates eating.

Leptin releases signals to the part of the brain that co-ordinates eating behaviour but as people gain weight they become more resistant to the effects of the hormone.

"Their brain loses its ability to respond to these hormones as body fat increases," Professor Michael Schwartz, an endocrinologist at the University of Washington in Seattle, told the magazine.

Animal studies by Associate Professor Sarah Leibowitz, at Rockefeller University in New York, have also shown that young rats fed a high fat diet early in life grew up to be obese adults.

Researchers are also looking into whether bingeing on foods high in fat and sugar cause changes in the brain associated with addiction to drugs.

"Highly palatable foods and highly potent sexual stimuli are the only stimuli capable of activating the dopamine system with anywhere near the potency of addictive drugs," according to Professor Bartley Hoebel, a psychologist at Princeton University in New Jersey.

But the magazine said other scientists argue there is no conclusive evidence that foods high in fat and sugar are addictive.

"Considering the paucity of evidence that fast food is addictive, I think the burden is on advocates of the addiction argument to provide evidence of addictiveness," said Dr Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Centre for Science in the Public Interest, a lobby group in Washington.

Reuters

More Info?

Blurred line between food and drugs, News In Science 26 Jul 1999

Science serves up the perfect bag of chips, News in Science 9 Jun 2000

Exercise more or less food, News in Science 10 Jul 2001

© ABC 2003 | privacy

[vannrox]

...

I just don't know what to say about this.

[AD from SpringBay]

This just in...

People can be gluttons and, like dogs, actually eat themselves to death, say scientists.

[dead]

Things like this used to be called "bad habits" but once you tag "addiction" on it, the government doles out grants to the scientists, and the lawyers start licking their lips.

[Grampa Dave]

That faint aroma that is coming from this pseudo science is not the aroma of fast food.

That aroma is really the stench of trial lawyers getting ready to sue every fast food organization in the world. This is right out of the tobacco play book for trial lawyers!

This pseduo science article will now be quoted by every trial lawyer suing the fast food industry.

[jpl]

Junk science paving the way for the next huge class-action lawsuit.

[wbill]

I know what to say. Obviously, if something is addictive, then...

1) It needs government regulation.

2) It needs to be highly taxed.

3) Scientifically proven addiction opens the gateway to more litigation.

4) If something is addictive, then a behavior is excuseable (otherwise known as the "It's not my fault" defense).

[Political Junkie Too]

Do you want fries with that? Do you want to "super-size" it?

-PJ

[TexanToTheCore]

I think we should require fast-food outlets to serve gruel. That would fix all this up. A little fennel in water, yeah... that's the ticket.

[newgeezer]

I have this eating disorder where, if I see food, I have to eat it.

Some people say it's a lack of will power. They're right.

[HELLRAISER II]

Don't forget prison time for the offenders of said addictions.

[pgyanke]

Is "super sizing" your lunch like the tobacco industry adding nicotine to increase the addictive punch? Oh, the lawsuit possibilities are endless...

[Ophiucus]

I can't wait for the time of the black market Big Mac and the McDonald's Speakeasy.

Our body chemistry changes when we eat, when we exercise, when we get mad, when we fall in love. Pretty soon, junk science will lead to a world where life is a series of addictions. No need for self-control, nor responsibilty.

[Just another Joe]

Oh hohohohohoho, let's change the definition of "addiction" again so that we can move fast food into it along with tobacco.
Trial lawyers from near and far are licking their chops.
States across the union are counting up the money they will receive to balance their budgets.
Soon, along with 'red light' districts, there will be 'fast food' districts.
Oh, and let's not forget the pharmecutical products to help you 'kick the fast food habit'.

Imagine all the possibilities.

[longtermmemmory]

This is junk science funded by parties interested in creating a class action. Not since the breast implant scare has this been so well laid.

We need a way to stop class action status being offered to some fat slob.

Please: its not my fault the cheeseburger made me do it.

[Still Thinking]

Sounds like bought-and-paid-for "science" intentionally but covertly produced for use by trial lawyers, who will now sue everyone who sells any food that tastes good.

[Houmatt]

How about, "I hope to GOD our tax dollars was not used for this absolutely moronic piece of crap. What's next: Scientists find people like hamburgers because they taste good!?!"

[HELLRAISER II]

As unrealistic as that sounds one has to wonder if that is the direction things are going. For instance did you ever think that smokers would be portrayed as evil second hand cancer giving thugs. It won't be long till cigarettes will be on the same black market list as marajuana & other illegal drugs. Also check out the stories on Ephederine since that pitcher died this week, it won't be long and it will definately be added to the list.

[js1138]

"New Scientist" say it all. No need to say anything more.

[Thinkin' Gal]

Does this mean that they will market a fast food patch, like the one for nicotine? What will be on the patch, french fry fat?

[kaktuskid]

It ain't the "cheeseburger"..it's the bun, ketchup, and secret sauce that is addictive (all carbs)