Abstract

Food addiction is increasingly recognized as a significant contributor to unhealthy eating behaviors, weight gain, and obesity. However, societal stigma related to weight often exacerbates the psychological and social burdens faced by individuals with food addiction. This study aims to explore how an explanatory model based on food addiction influences perceptions of weight stigma. Using an experimental approach, the research assesses the impact of providing participants with an education on food addiction as an underlying cause of unhealthy eating behaviors. The study reveals how a reframed understanding of eating behaviors through the lens of food addiction can reduce weight-related stigma and improve empathy. The findings have important implications for public health interventions aimed at addressing weight stigma and improving treatment outcomes for individuals struggling with food addiction.