Food addiction is closely related to obesity, a known risk factor for type 2 diabetes (T2D). People with T2D often struggle with food addiction. However, the relationship between food addiction and T2D in the general population is still unclear. Moreover, both food addiction and T2D commonly coexist with mental disorders, but research on their connection in this high-risk group is lacking. A recent study published in "Clinical Nutrition" sheds light on this association, revealing a strong, positive link between food addiction and T2D in both the general adult population and individuals with clinically verified mental disorders.

      The study included data from 5,000 individuals aged 18-62 years from the Danish Civil Registration System Food Addiction Denmark (FADK) Project, as well as 5,000 individuals from the Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register (DPCRR) in the same age group. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between food addiction and T2D in both populations, with a stratified analysis conducted in the mental disorder group based on eight diagnostic categories.

      The findings of the study are the first to demonstrate a strong and significant connection between food addiction and T2D in both the general adult population and individuals with mental disorders. The co-occurrence of these two conditions is associated with higher BMI, T2D-related issues, and various psychological/psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and decreased well-being. These findings emphasize the importance of recognizing the risk of T2D in individuals with food addiction and the probable presence of food addiction in those already diagnosed with T2D, as revealed by this study.