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Bidirectional Associations Between Eating and Alcohol Use During Restricted Intake

  • Food Addiction (A Meule, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Many individuals seek to improve their health by restricting intake of alcohol or food. This paper critically examines the existing literature on how restricted alcohol use may increase eating and, reciprocally, how restricted eating may increase alcohol use.

Recent Findings

Prior non-human animal research suggests that (a) alcohol deprivation causes increased eating behavior and (b) food deprivation causes increased alcohol use. Preliminary observational findings suggest that these effects translate to humans. Future experimental research is needed to identify for whom, for how long, why, and for what specific eating and drinking behaviors these bidirectional effects emerge. We provide a hypothesis-generating tool to guide future research.

Summary

Understanding bidirectional associations between eating and alcohol use during restricted intake requires additional research. This research may have important treatment implications for multiple health behavior change interventions as well as treatment for alcohol use and eating disorders including addictions.

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  1. Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Jenna R. Cummings & A. Janet Tomiyama

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  1. Jenna R. Cummings
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Correspondence to Jenna R. Cummings.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Food Addiction

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Cummings, J.R., Tomiyama, A.J. Bidirectional Associations Between Eating and Alcohol Use During Restricted Intake. Curr Addict Rep 5, 243–250 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-018-0180-4

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