The U.S. is in the middle of an increasing obesity epidemic (Temple, 2022) and compulsive, unhealthy overeating is arguably one of the most overlooked, complex, and challenging behaviors driving it. The omnipresence of sweet/salty foods in daily life, our emotional connection to eating, and its related pressures have for many complicated our relationship with food and nutrition. Here, I explore 11 reasons why compulsive over-eating can be so challenging and why it can be resistant to traditional treatments.
1. Some processed foods may have addictive qualities (Avena, 2008; Thorsby, 2019). While experts don’t consider food to be “addictive” in the way that drugs or gambling can be, ultra-processed and processed foods (especially those heavy in sugar and fat) can strongly activate the brain’s reward system. This can trigger compulsive over-eating, as the brain and body learn to increasingly crave the immediate pleasure it yields.
While their effects are different than those of substances like cocaine, they can be similar in dopamine release. Research conducted at Princeton University found that when rats consumed sugar, their brains experienced a surge in dopamine levels similar to what occurs with substance addiction.
2. Junk food is easily accessible, regardless of age. In the U.S., most of us live near a supermarket or convenience store—and unlike cigarettes or alcohol, there is no age limit on buying junk food. This ubiquity and accessibility can enable compulsive over-eating for many. For this reason, some have argued that there should be age limits on the purchase of processed food, given the harm that excessive consumption can cause.
3. The processed food lobby wields powerful influence. Many aren’t aware that large food corporations, agricultural businesses, and trade associations spend significantly on lobbying and political contributions to shape public policy and legislation. Food lobbyists work to influence agricultural policies, food safety standards, labeling regulations, and dietary guidelines. For example, they often advocate for subsidies for certain crops like corn and soy, which are key ingredients in processed foods, thereby affecting what products are available and affordable.
4. The inability to abstain from eating. Unlike other problematic substances and behaviors that can be completely avoided if one so chooses, eating is essential for survival, making abstinence impossible.
5. Culturally normalized overconsumption. The social acceptability of consuming excess sugar (i.e. eating cake at a birthday party) or salt (i.e. getting popcorn at the movies) can make it easier for some people to overconsume, which can in some cases lead to long-term health issues such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Moreover, we have normalized excessive snacking (often of processed foods), even though it may not be necessary, nutritionally or calorically, for many.
6. Eating is one of the main activities people do together. Eating is the main activity we do together in most cultures and societies. This is largely healthy, normal, and enjoyable. But for some, too many food-focused events can exacerbate overeating tendencies, and coming up with new ways to spend time together may feel challenging.
7. In some families, eating is the only way to give and receive love. In many cultures, eating together is deeply intertwined with love and care. For instance, a parent might express love by preparing a child’s favorite meal; in many religions, holidays revolve around feasts symbolizing health, unity, and care.
While expressing love through food is normal and not itself unhealthy, in some cases, the association between food and love can become so strong that food becomes a substitute for other expressions of affection. Someone may start to unconsciously equate eating with being loved and cared for, and over time, food may become their primary means for soothing emotional wounds. This can contribute to unhealthy over-eating patterns or emotional eating divorced from caloric or nutritional needs.
8. Food is always there for you if/when the people in your life aren’t. For some, unhealthy, processed food can serve as a reliable source of comfort when human support is lacking. During times of emotional distress, loneliness, or strained interpersonal relationships, overeating—particularly foods high in sugar, fat, or carbohydrates—can provide temporary relief. Unhealthy, processed food is often easily accessible and can offer immediate gratification—unlike people, who may be physically or emotionally absent.
Eating Disorders Essential Reads
This creates a pattern where individuals turn to eating as a coping mechanism to fill the void left by unmet emotional needs. Over time, this can develop into a habitual response to stress or emotional pain, reinforcing unhealthy foods as a dependable source of comfort when human connections fail to provide needed emotional support. Eating thus becomes more about managing feelings than about hunger or nutrition.
9. We control our eating behavior less than we think. Many people (including some health professionals) view eating disorders as primarily about willpower and control. This view is overly simplistic and overlooks other significant factors that shape our eating behavior, such as past trauma.
Recent scientific research (Branley-Bell et al., 2023) and expert opinion increasingly suggest that individuals suffering from eating disorders—including binge eating disorder—do not have full control over their eating behaviors. These disorders are complex mental health conditions influenced by factors like genetics; mental health conditions like trauma, anxiety, and depression; and environmental triggers. Eating disorders are often coping mechanisms for dealing with emotional distress rather than simply issues of self-control.
Individuals may also, consciously or not, view their condition as key to their identity. Moreover, the compulsive nature of binge eating is connected to changes in brain chemistry that make it difficult for sufferers to regulate their eating.
10. Our bodies are wired to defend against famine, even when it’s no longer necessary. Our bodies are biologically programmed to respond to the threat of famine, a survival mechanism developed over thousands of years. They react defensively when food intake drops, slowing metabolism, and increasing hunger signals to conserve energy and boost consumption. This evolutionary trait was crucial for our ancestors, who faced unpredictable food supplies and needed to store energy efficiently to survive long periods without it.
In modern times, our food supply is abundant and readily accessible—yet our bodies still operate with the same ancient wiring. This mismatch between our biological programming and the current environment, replete with unhealthy food, can lead to challenges, making it difficult to regulate eating habits in an environment where high-calorie, unhealthy foods are plentiful and easily obtained. Understanding this evolutionary backdrop can help explain why maintaining a healthy relationship with food can be so challenging in today’s world.
11. Processed foods are often cheaper than healthy foods (Temple, 2022). Healthy foods often cost more and require more preparation, rendering ultra-processed and processed foods more tempting and deceptively convenient.
