Issues for DSM-V: Should obesity be included as a brain disorder?
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As the American Psychiatric Association committees begin formal work on DSM-V, we
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Obesity may be considered a 'food addiction' because its symptoms overlap with those described in DSM-IV for substances and drug dependence.
“Obesity is often characterized by a compulsive intake of food and the inability not to eat rather than the desire to do so. These symptoms are overlapping to those described in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV) for substances and drug dependence. For this reason, obesity may be considered a “food addiction” [20].”
From MOSH Syndrome (Male Obesity Secondary Hypogonadism): Clinical Assessment and Possible Therapeutic Approaches (2018) · cites this paper as [20]
Drugs of abuse tap into the same neuronal mechanisms that modulate motivation and drive to seek and consume food.
“The phenomenological and neurobiological overlaps between obesity and addiction can be predicted on the basis that drugs of abuse tap into the same neuronal mechanisms that modulate the motivation and drive to seek and consume food (27).”
From The Addictive Dimensionality of Obesity (2013) · cites this paper as [27]
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Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Dr. Volkow reports no competing interests. Dr. O'Brien is a member of the DSM-V Task Force and is a consult- ant to Alkermes and Forest Laboratories. Dr. Freedman has reviewed this editorial and found no evidence of influence from these relationships. Editorials discussing other DSM-V issues can be submitted to the Journal at http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/ appi-ajp. Submissions should not exceed 500 words.
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“For this reason, obesity may be considered a “food addiction” [20].”
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“Due to this high incidence and comorbidity of the double stigma obesity and mental health issues experienced by individuals with obesity (18 – 20), several mental health research experts proposed to label obesity as a mental disorder in the DSM-V (20, 21).”
Background
- Authors
- Volkow, N. D., & O’Brien, C. P.
- Venue
- American Journal of Psychiatry
- Published
- 2007-05
- Volume
- 164
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 708-710
- ISSN
- 0002-953X (ISSN-L)
- 1535-7228
- OpenAlex
- W2049649869
- Cited by
- 271
- References
- 12
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 27 · 2013: 37 · 2012: 29
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- American Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Mental Health and Psychiatry
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Obesity and Health Practices
- Keywords
- obesity, DSM-V, psychiatric classification, brain disorders, psychiatric diagnosis, eating disorders, diagnostic criteria
- MeSH terms
- Mental Disorders, Brain, Brain Diseases, Eating, Humans, Obesity, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Body Mass Index, Behavior, Addictive, Substance-Related Disorders, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
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