Low carbohydrate and psychoeducational programs show promise for the treatment of ultra-processed food addiction

12-Month Follow-Up

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15526575
AutoresJen Unwin (Oxford Spires Academy, autor de correspondencia), Christine Delon (0000-0001-5163-1716, Oxford Spires Academy), Heidi Giæver (Oxford Spires Academy), Clarissa Kennedy (Oxford Spires Academy), Molly Painschab (Oxford Spires Academy), Frida Sandin (Linköping University), Charlotte Schön Poulsen (Linköping University), David A Wiss (0000-0003-1788-7368, Nutrition 21 (United States))
Año2025
Volumen16
Páginas1556988-1556988
Fecha de publicación2025-04-14
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
EditorialFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1556988
PMID40357512
OpenAlexW4409438767
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas5
Referencias citadas45

The topic of ultra-processed food addiction has been the subject of many peer-reviewed publications. Although on average 14% of adults may meet the criteria for ultra-processed food addiction in prevalence studies, it is not a recognized clinical diagnosis, hence a lack of published evidence-based treatment protocols and outcome data. In 2022, we reported outcomes pre- and post-intervention from an online, real food-based, low-carbohydrate educational program with psychosocial support related to ultra-processed food addiction recovery. The intervention was delivered across three locations, offering a common approach. The programs comprised weekly online sessions for 10-14 weeks, followed by monthly support groups. The previously published data were outcomes relating to ultra-processed food addiction symptoms measured by the modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0, ICD-10 symptoms of substance use disorder related to food (CRAVED), and mental well-being as measured by the short version of the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, pre- and post-intervention. The current report focuses on the same cohort's 6- and 12-month follow-up data. The 12-month follow-up data show significant, sustained improvement in ultra-processed food addiction symptoms and mental well-being. These data are the first long-term follow-up results to be published for a food addiction program. Research is now needed to evaluate and compare other long-term interventions for this impairing and increasingly prevalent biopsychosocial condition

Addiction · Biopsychosocial model · Food addiction · Intervention (counseling · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Psychosocial · Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues · Clinical Psychology · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology