Summary of Food Addiction Affects 1 in 8 Americans Over 50:
Around 13% of older Americans between the ages of 50 and 80 may be addicted to processed foods, delightful, salty, and fast foods, according to a poll by the National Poll on Healthy Aging. The survey found that the addiction rate was higher among women, overweight individuals, and respondents reporting poor physical or mental health or isolation. The poll’s lead author, Ashley Gearhardt, a psychologist at the University of Michigan and a co-developer of the Yale Food Addiction Scale questionnaire used in the poll, called for the questions to be included in standard health assessments by doctors.
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New Poll Finds 13% of Older Americans Show Signs of Addiction to Processed Foods.
A new poll by the National Poll on Healthy Aging has found that around 13% of older Americans between the ages of 50 and 80 show signs of addiction to processed foods. The research highlights the need for doctors to screen for addictive eating habits as part of standard health assessments. The poll revealed much higher percentages of possible addiction to processed food among older adults who were overweight or experiencing poor mental health or isolation.
Women and Overweight Individuals at Higher Risk
Addiction rates were higher among women than men, particularly women in their 50s and early 60s. The percentage of addiction was also higher among older adults who reported being overweight, lonely, or in fair or poor physical or mental health. Additionally, the most commonly reported symptom of addiction to processed foods in older adults was intense cravings.
Need for Standard Questions and Referrals
The poll team and U-M psychologist Ashley Gearhardt, Ph.D., used a set of 13 questions to measure whether and how often older adults experienced the core indicators of addiction in their relationship with processed foods such as sweets, salty snacks, sugary drinks, and fast food. Based on their findings, Gearhardt suggests that the same standard questions should become part of screening at doctors’ offices. This could help identify older adults with addictive eating habits who could benefit from referrals to nutrition counseling or programs that help people address addictive eating or get affordable access to healthier foods.
Clinicians Need a Better Understanding
“Clinicians need a better understanding of how food addiction and problematic eating intertwines with their patient’s physical and mental health, including chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer,” says poll director Jeffrey Kullgren, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.
The poll report is based on findings from a nationally representative survey conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for IHPI and administered online and via phone in July 2022 among 2,163 adults aged 50 to 80. The same criteria used to diagnose addiction-related problems with alcohol, tobacco, and other addictive substances, were applied to identify addiction to processed foods.
Conclusion
The National Poll on Healthy Aging findings underscore the need for doctors to screen for addictive eating habits as part of standard health assessments. With most older Americans consuming too many processed foods, it’s vital to assess addiction among this demographic group and to provide referrals to nutrition counseling or programs for those who need it. By identifying and reaching out to those with unhealthy use patterns, we can help support their development of healthier relationships with food.
