Ultra-Processed Foods and Mental Health: Where Do Eating Disorders Fit into the Puzzle?

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) like pastries, packaged snacks, fast foods, and sweetened beverages have become dominant in the modern food supply and are strongly associated with numerous public health concerns. While the physical health consequences of UPF intake have been well documented (e.g.

A novel weight suppression score associates with distinct eating disorder and ultra-processed food symptoms compared to the traditional weight suppression measure among adults seeking outpatient nutrition counseling.

Background: Weight suppression has been defined as diet-induced weight loss, traditionally operationalized as the difference between one's highest and current weight. This concept has been studied in the context of eating disorders, but its value in predicting treatment outcomes has been inconsistent, which may be partially attributed to its calculation.

Method: The current study operationalizes a novel weight suppression score, reflecting the midpoint between the lowest and highest adult weights among adults (N = 287, ages 21-75, 73.

Dismantling the myth of "all foods fit" in eating disorder treatment.

We call for a reevaluation of the long-standing dogmatic nutritional principle that "all foods fit" for all cases of eating disorders (EDs) and its corollary, "there are no bad foods" (for anyone ever) during ED treatment. Based on accumulated scientific research, we challenge these ideologies as outdated, confusing, and potentially harmful to many patients. We review the evidence that indicates the folly of these assumptions and show there are a variety of exceptions to these rules, including (1) food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances, (2) religious and spiritual preferences or doctrines, and (3) the ubiquitous emergence and widespread availability of ultra-processed foods leading to the potential development of addiction-like eating and a higher prevalence of various medical and psychiatric comorbidities, as well as higher mortality.

Association between Childhood Maltreatment and Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Los Angeles.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been associated with poor mental health outcomes in adulthood. Childhood maltreatment is related to both depressive and anxiety symptoms. Our objective was to investigate these associations among low-income, mostly Black and Latino men who have sex with men (MSM), as these may be a particularly vulnerable population group.

Perceived social support moderates the association between household dysfunction adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and self-reported drug use among men who have sex with men in Los Angeles, California.

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been shown to be associated with drug use in adulthood. The single ACE of household substance use history (part of the household dysfunction category) has frequently been associated with drug use. Resilience factors such as perceived social support appear to buffer the association between ACEs and drug use and may be particularly relevant for urban men who have sex with men (MSM).

Low carbohydrate and psychoeducational programs show promise for the treatment of ultra-processed food addiction.

Food addiction, specifically ultra-processed food addiction, has been discussed in thousands of peer-reviewed publications. Although 20% of adults meet criteria for this condition, food addiction is not a recognized clinical diagnosis, leading to a dearth of tested treatment protocols and published outcome data. Growing numbers of clinicians are offering services to individuals on the basis that the food addiction construct has clinical utility.

Limitations of the protective measure theory in explaining the role of childhood sexual abuse in eating disorders, addictions, and obesity: an updated model with emphasis on biological embedding.

In addition to its immediate negative consequences, childhood sexual abuse is associated with lifelong deleterious mental and physical health outcomes. This review employs a biopsychosocial perspective to better understand pathways from childhood sexual abuse to eating disorders, food and drug addictions, and obesity across the life course. Guided by an updated conceptual model, this review delineates how the biological embedding of childhood sexual abuse triggers a cascade of interrelated conditions that often result in failed attempts at weight suppression and eventually obesity.

Overeaters Anonymous: An Overlooked Intervention for Binge Eating Disorder.

The purpose of this communication is to provide an overview as well as the strengths and weaknesses of Overeaters Anonymous (OA) as an intervention for binge eating disorder treatment. Binge eating disorder is associated with low remission rates, high relapse rates, treatment dissatisfaction, and high rates of failure to receive treatment attributed to stigma, misconceptions, lack of diagnosis, access to care, and inadequate insurance coverage. New interventions are needed that can overcome these barriers.

Food insecurity partially mediates the association between drug use and depressive symptoms among men who have sex with men in Los Angeles, California.

Objective: To understand the relationship between drug use, food insecurity (FI) and mental health among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Design: Cohort study (2014-2019) with at least one follow-up.

Setting: Visits at 6-month intervals included self-assessment for FI and depressive symptoms.

Food Addiction and Psychosocial Adversity: Biological Embedding, Contextual Factors, and Public Health Implications.

The role of stress, trauma, and adversity particularly early in life has been identified as a contributing factor in both drug and food addictions. While links between traumatic stress and substance use disorders are well documented, the pathways to food addiction and obesity are less established. This review focuses on psychosocial and neurobiological factors that may increase risk for addiction-like behaviors and ultimately increase BMI over the lifespan.

Staff-perceived barriers to nutrition intervention in substance use disorder treatment.

Objective: While organisational change in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment has been extensively studied, there is no research describing facility-wide changes related to nutrition interventions. This study evaluates staff-perceived barriers to change before and after a wellness initiative.

Design: A pre-intervention questionnaire was administered to participating staff prior to facility-wide changes (n 40).

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adult Obesity: A Systematic Review of Plausible Mechanisms and Meta-Analysis of Cross-Sectional Studies.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can become biologically embedded leaving a lasting signature on multiple body systems. ACE scores have been used to associate childhood adversity to a wide range of adverse health conditions over the life course, most notably substance-related disorders. Multiple studies have shown that the presence of elevated ACE scores predicts obesity in adulthood.

The Relationship Between Alcohol and Glycohemoglobin: A Biopsychosocial Perspective.

With the rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), there is debate regarding biological and psychosocial risk factors. While it is well established that alcohol lowers glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, it is less clear whether alcohol consumption is protective of T2DM. It is also unclear how gender and ethnicity influence the utility of HbA1c screening as a tool for T2DM diagnosis, particularly in the context of alcohol use.

A Biopsychosocial Overview of the Opioid Crisis: Considering Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Health.

The opioid crisis has reached epidemic proportions in the United States with rising overdose death rates. Identifying the underlying factors that contribute to addiction vulnerability may lead to more effective prevention strategies. Supply side environmental factors are a major contributing component.

Sugar Addiction: From Evolution to Revolution.

The obesity epidemic has been widely publicized in the media worldwide. Investigators at all levels have been looking for factors that have contributed to the development of this epidemic. Two major theories have been proposed: (1) sedentary lifestyle and (2) variety and ease of inexpensive palatable foods.

Rapid Assessment of Nutrition Services in Los Angeles Substance Use Disorder Treatment Centers.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of nutrition services and utilization of registered dietitian nutritionists at substance use disorder treatment centers in Los Angeles. This cross-sectional descriptive study utilized phone interviews with facilities within a 25-mile radius of the Los Angeles metropolitan area using the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Treatment Services Locator to identify facilities that included a listing of substance abuse as primary focus of care (n = 128). Facilities were asked if they offered any kind of nutrition services, the type of services that were offered, and the credential of the professional providing the services.

Preclinical evidence for the addiction potential of highly palatable foods: Current developments related to maternal influence.

It is well established that obesity has reached pandemic proportions. Over the last four decades the prevalence of obesity and morbid obesity have risen substantially in both men and women worldwide. Although there are many causative factors leading to excessive weight gain including genetics and sedentary lifestyle, the transformation of the food environment has undoubtedly contributed to the dangerously high rates of obesity.

Incorporating food addiction into disordered eating: the disordered eating food addiction nutrition guide (DEFANG).

Although not formally recognized by the DSM-5, food addiction (FA) has been well described in the scientific literature. FA has emerged as a clinical entity that is recognized within the spectrum of disordered eating, particularly in patients with bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder and/or co-occurring addictive disorders and obesity. Integrating the concept of FA into the scope of disordered eating has been challenging for ED treatment professionals, since there is no well-accepted treatment model.