Food Addiction and its Comorbidities: Insights from The International Food Addiction and Comorbidities Conference (IFACC) 2025

Over recent decades, the global shift toward a food environment dominated by ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has paralleled a marked and ongoing increase in metabolic disorders and other chronic health conditions. UPFs, characterized by high levels of added sugars, prossed fats, salt, and a range of artificial additives, are engineered for palatability, affordability, and convenience. Their widespread presence and aggressive marketing strategies have contributed to their integration into everyday diets, especially among children and adolescents.An increasing body of research and clinical observation suggests that the consumption of UPFs does not merely contribute to excessive calorie intake and weight gain, but may also trigger addiction-like eating behaviors in susceptible individuals. These behaviors, including loss of control, intense cravings, and continued consumption despite negative consequences, are reminiscent of those seen in substance use disorders. Food addiction linked to UPFs has emerged as an important factor that may hinder the effective prevention and management of metabolic diseases.The challenges posed by food addiction are multifaceted and extend beyond obesity. There is growing recognition that food addiction may play a significant role in the poor outcomes observed in the treatment of metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Furthermore, food addiction is frequently accompanied by a range of psychological and behavioral comorbidities, including depression, anxiety, various eating disorders, and, in some cases, links to the risk of certain cancers, complicating clinical management and increasing the burden on individuals and society.This Research Topic calls for contributions addressing the interplay between UPFs, food addiction, and their associated comorbidities. Submissions may include, but are not limited to, the following areas:• Global and regional patterns in UPF consumption and correlations with metabolic and neurobehavioral health trends, particularly among youth.• Mechanistic studies of the neurobiological and psychosocial processes that underlie addiction-like responses to UPFs.• Clinical perspectives on diagnostic and therapeutic challenges posed by food addiction in the context of metabolic and psychiatric comorbidities.• Insights into the ways food addiction impacts treatment outcomes for obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental health disorders, and eating disorders, and cancers.• Evaluations of public health approaches, policy interventions, and prevention strategies aimed at reducing UPF exposure and addressing food addiction.• Analyses of socioeconomic, cultural, and structural factors that influence the spread and management of UPF-driven food addiction and related health outcomes.This Research Topic was launched in collaboration with the International Food Addiction and Comorbidities Conference (IFACC) 2025, where clinicians, researchers, academics, and public health professionals share their latest experiences, knowledge, research findings, and hypotheses on combating the world’s growing health problems caused by challenging food environments. Topic editors: Nicole Avena, Octavian Vasiliu Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/73159/food-addiction-and-its-comorbidities-insights-from-the-international-food-addiction-and-comorbidities-conference-ifacc-2025