Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The concept of food addiction, which refers to people who exhibit signs of dependence to some high-fat and high-sugar foods, was recently proposed by applying DSM criteria of substance dependence to eating behavior. The Aim of This study is to assess the prevalence of food addiction among obese patients.

Material and methods: This is a retrospective hospital record-based study of obese patients followed up in the day hospital and education unit of the department of endocrinology of the CHU Mohamed VI of Marrakech. This study was carried out using a Yale Food Addiction Scale questionnaire (YFAS).

Results: A total of 68 obese patients were analyzed, of which the majority were female, the mean age of presentation in years is 47.16 years. The average BMI was 41.4 kg/m². The morbid obesity was noted in 52.9% of the cases. All cases presented either abdominal or visceral obesity. The majority of obese patients were sedentary (65%) and food addiction was found among 35.2% of patients. Nibbling behavior hyperphagia was noted in 44% of cases.

Conclusion: The prevalence of food addiction is higher among overweight and obese patients, patients with certain psychopathological characteristics (depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder, and high impulsivity), single patient and in patients with neurobiological dysregulation of brain reward systems; It is not currently demonstrated that this disorder is systematically responsible for weight gain and/or obesity. Food addiction is a clinical and multidimensional concept which requires integrated care with psychotherapy, pharmacological and social lines of approach. This concept has also practical implications in terms of prevention and public health.