title: What is in a name? Is food addiction a misnomer?
abstract: Recently interest in the phenomenon of food addiction has increased substantially since the inclusion of gambling disorder in the DSM-5. However the phenomenon of food addiction remains controversial and the designation continues to lack clear consideration. Few researchers have offered an explicit theoretical definition of the phenomenon which is fundamental; as it not only pertains to the aetiology it also directs research and management of the phenomenon. Therefore this review explores 'what is in a name'? Specifically possible aetiologies of food addiction, eating addiction and food addiction as an eating disorder are reviewed and the potential DSM-5 classification espoused. It is evident that the phenomenon requires further research and evaluation in order to delineate whether the phenomenon constitutes a disorder and if the phenomenon is found to be a valid entity the most appropriate designation. As it is too early to draw definitive conclusions regarding the concept all plausible designations and the associated aetiologies require further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Medicine, University Of Wollongong, Wollongong NSW, 2522, Australia. Electronic address: vella@uow.edu.au.
authors.forename: Shae-Leigh
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Vella
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Medicine, University Of Wollongong, Wollongong NSW, 2522, Australia. Electronic address: nagesh@uow.edu.au.
authors.forename: Nagesh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pai
mesh_terms: D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000145:classification* / Q000209:etiology; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000209:etiology; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D009626:Terminology as Topic
keywords: Aetiology; Eating addiction; Eating disorder; Food addiction