Food Addiction in Individuals With Overweight and Obesity Undergoing a 12-Week Long Tailored mHealth Weight Loss Intervention

Abstract

Objective

Former studies indicated worse outcome for individuals with food addiction (FA) when participating in weight loss programs. Yet, the results may have been influenced by comorbid eating disorders and insufficient consideration of psychological aspects associated with FA.

Methods

We report here a subgroup analysis on treatment success of participants with overweight/obesity and FA, but no comorbid eating disorders, compared to individuals with overweight/obesity but without FA and eating disorders taking part in a 12-week long tailored mHealth weight loss intervention (IG) that addresses psychological aspects of overweight/obesity or a waitlist control condition (CG). Body-mass-index and eating styles were assessed at four time points: baseline, 3, 9 and 15 months after baseline.

Results

Overall, the IG significantly reduced weight and improved eating styles. The efficacy of the intervention was higher in the IG + FA concerning long-term weight loss and emotional eating.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that individuals with FA, without comorbid eating disorders, benefit from a tailored mHealth weight loss intervention that focuses on psychological aspects of overweight/obesity. This underscores the presence of a FA subgroup among individuals with overweight and obesity, characterised by unique vulnerabilities and treatment responses, which should be further analysed. There is a need for specialised treatment of FA components in obesity and overweight.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04080193