Food addiction in Latin America

Food addiction is a disorder characterized by an uncontrollable desire to eat foods high in fats and sugars. These foods activate the brain reward system in a similar way to drugs generating the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and oxytocin which trigger a need to repeat the behavior. In developed countries in Europe, Asia, and North America, there are reports of food addiction in children, adolescents, university students, sexual minorities, women and the adult population that suffer from obesity or overweight. In Latin America, studies conducted in Chile report that 10% of university students suffer food addiction, while in Brazil 4% of adults have the same disorder. There are few studies on the prevalence of food addiction. Likewise, validations of diagnostic instruments and studies on the effectiveness of psychotherapy are required to modify behaviors in this disorder.