Among the factors that might contribute to differential vulnerability to over-eating in an obesigenic environment are deficiencies in impulse control, possibly related to individual differences in sensitivity to neurochemical reward. These characteristics are hallmarks of substance use disorders, 10, 11 and behavioral and neurobiological commonalities between overeating-associated obesity and substance use disorders have been documented in recent years (e.g refs, 12–18). Both substance use disorders and overeating-associated obesity are complex and moderately heritable; both are influenced by availability and access to highly reinforcing substances (i.e., drugs or palatable foods), both are aggravated by stress, and both lead to dopamine-modulated neurobiological adaptations.15 Indeed, observational and laboratory studies have detected links between impulsive characteristics and overeating,12, 19, 20 as well as preference for highly palatable (e.g., sweet, salty, fatty) foods. 12 Therefore, it is plausible that individuals at risk for substance use disorders have been differentially impacted by the obesity epidemic in the United States.
