Take The Quiz: Do You Have An Unhealthy Food Addiction?

Right on time, ABC shared this quiz from the @YaleRuddCenter:

Researchers from Yale University’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity say the brain responds to drugs and food similarly. Take this abbreviated survey to see how you compare to the participants in their study of food addiction patterns.

Answer the following questions based on this scale:

0 – Never

1 – Once per month

2 – two to four times per month

3 – two to three per week

4 – four or more times per week

QUESTIONS:

1. I find myself consuming certain foods even though I am no longer hungry. (answer 0-4)

2. I worry about cutting down on certain foods. (answer 0-4)

3. I feel sluggish or fatigued from overeating. (answer 0-4)

4. I have spent time dealing with negative feelings from overeating certain foods, instead of spending time in important activities such as time with family, friends, work or recreation. (answer 0-4)

5. I have had physical withdrawal symptoms such as agitation and anxiety when I cut down on certain foods. (Do NOT include caffeinated drinks: coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, etc.) (answer 0-4)

6. My behavior with respect to food and eating cause me significant distress. (answer 0-4)

7. Issues related to food and eating decrease my ability to function effectively (daily routine, job/school, social or family activities, health difficulties). (answer 0-4)

Answer YES or NO to the following questions.IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS…

8. I kept consuming the same types or amounts of food despite significant emotional and/or physical problems related to my eating. (answer YES or NO)

9. Eating the same amount of food does not reduce negative emotions or increase pleasurable feelings the way it used to. (answer YES or NO)

The Results: Are You Addicted to Food?

Take a look at how you answered each question. According to the Rudd Center, in order to meet the food addiction threshold, participants must answer Question #6 OR #7 on a scale of 3 or 4, AND ALSO answer at least three of the other questions in the following way:

1. I find myself consuming certain foods even though I am no longer hungry. 4

2. I worry about cutting down on certain foods. 4

3. I feel sluggish or fatigued from overeating. 3 OR 4

4. I have spent time dealing with negative feelings from overeating certain foods, instead of spending time in important activities such as time with family, friends, work, or recreation. 3 OR 4

5. I have had physical withdrawal symptoms such as agitation and anxiety when I cut down on certain foods. (Do NOT include caffeinated drinks: coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, etc.) 3 OR 4

6. My behavior with respect to food and eating cause me significant distress. 3 OR 4

7. Issues related to food and eating decrease my ability to function effectively (daily routine, job/school, social or family activities, health difficulties). 3 OR 4

8. I kept consuming the same types or amounts of food despite significant emotional and/or physical problems related to my eating. YES

9. Eating the same amount of food does not reduce negative emotions or increase pleasurable feelings the way it used to. YES

What questions do you think are most meaningful here? Which do you think they could’ve left out? Do you think anything was left out? And, most importantly, how’d you do? I’ve got to admit, I was relatively pleased with my own answers here – while I had my fair share of “nevers,” I’m looking forward to adding a lot more to the list. What about you?