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Cited by 99Eating Disorders and BehaviorsObesity, Physical Activity, DietObesity and Health Practices

Is Severe Obesity a Form of Addiction?: Rationale, Clinical Approach, and Controlled Clinical Trial

Riva, Giuseppe, Bacchetta, Monica, Cesa, Gianluca, Conti, Sara, Castelnuovo, Gianluca, Mantovani, Fabrizia, Molinari, Enrico·2006·CyberPsychology & Behavior
DOI 10.1089/cpb.2006.9.457
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Abstract

For many, obesity is just a problem of energy input and expenditure: more energy input than expenditure. However, the clinical practice and epidemiological data clearly show that weight control is more complex than expected by this simple equation. This is particularly true in morbid obesity, a form of severe obesity in which a person's Body Mass Index (BMI, kg/m2) is over 40. If we compare the definitions and diagnostic criteria for "dependence" and "addiction" with the situation of many severe obese subjects, it is apparent that they match very well. Further, different neurological studies confirm this similarity: both addiction and obesity patients have a deficiency of dopamine receptors. Nevertheless, when we compare many of the actual obesity treatments with the ones used in the area of addictions it is possible to find relevant differences: obesity treatments neither consider different levels of type and intensity of care, nor a multidimensional approach. To overcome these limitations, in this paper we propose a bio-psychosocial approach in which the genetic influence (lack of dopamine receptors) is matched by psychosocial issues (pressure for thinness and diet as main body image dissatisfaction treatment). Further, the paper outlines how this approach may influence the treatment options, by focusing both on the lessons coming from actual addiction treatment and the opportunities offered by virtual reality. Finally, the paper presents and discusses the outcome of a controlled trial, based on the proposed approach, including a 6-month follow-up (211 morbid obese females with a BMI of >40 and a documented history of failures. International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Register-ISRCTN 59019572).

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Authors
Riva, G., Bacchetta, M., Cesa, G., Conti, S., Castelnuovo, G., Mantovani, F., & Molinari, E.
Affiliations
  • Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (IT)
  • IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano (IT)
ORCID
Venue
CyberPsychology & Behavior
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2006-08
Volume
9
Issue
4
Pages
457-479
ISSN
  • 1094-9313 (ISSN-L)
  • 1557-8364
DOI
10.1089/cpb.2006.9.457
OpenAlex
W2058225363
Cited by
98
References
118
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 12
FWCI
6.65
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.liebertpub.com/nv/resources-tools/text-and-data-mining-policy/121/ (tdm)
Locations
  • CyberPsychology & Behavior (publishedVersion)
  • BOA (University of Milano-Bicocca) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Obesity and Health Practices
Keywords
morbid obesity, addiction treatment, body dissatisfaction, virtual reality, weight management, female obesity, treatment failure

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