Emotional-Behavioral Dysregulation and Food Addiction in Obese Children and Adolescents

Dr Shivani Sidana, Associate Professor, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, AIIMS, Bathinda 

“A recent study examined the link between food addiction and emotional-behavioral problems, including anxiety, depression, attention issues, and rule-breaking, in children and adolescents with obesity to prevent long-term physical and psychosocial complications.”

Obesity is a significant global health issue and has become more concerning among children and adolescents, as this is linked to various long-term health complications, including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. It can lead to early morbidity and psychosocial problems, highlighting the need for prompt intervention.

Recent studies suggest a connection between food addiction (FA) and obesity, with FA resembling substance use disorders through compulsive eating behaviors. Although recognized in adults, FA's impact on children is under-researched. The developing brains of growing children are more susceptible to addictive behaviors, which may adversely influence their emotional well-being, behavior, and social skills, leading to serious, lasting effects.

This observational study, published in the Obesity Research & Clinical Practice, enrolled 224 Korean children and adolescents aged 8–16 years with BMI above the 85th percentile through the ICAAN–ON project. Participants completed anthropometric measurements and psychosocial assessments, including the Yale Food Addiction Scale for Children (YFAS-C), Youth Self Report (YSR), self-esteem scale, and family function questionnaires. Among participants, 19.6% met FA criteria. The FA group showed higher BMI z-scores, lower self-esteem and family function, and higher YSR total, internalizing, and externalizing problem scores. Linear regression revealed that FA symptom count independently predicted higher total and externalizing problem scores.

These findings confirm a strong association between FA and emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents with obesity. Early detection and targeted intervention for FA may help reduce obesity and associated psychosocial difficulties, underscoring the importance of integrating behavioral and psychological assessment into pediatric obesity management.

(Source: An HJ, Woo S, Lim HJ, Kim YM, Park KH. Emotional and behavioral problems associated with food addiction in children and adolescents with obesity. Obes Res Clin Pract. 2025;19(1):34 42.; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871403X25000195)