Obese individuals may have brains wired to crave food (Photo : REUTERS/SIMON NEWMAN)
A new study is suggesting that those who are obese have brains that by nature are programmed to need food in a similar manner that addicts find it difficult to give up a habit.
The research findings were presented by scientists from the Monash University in Melbourne, and the University of Granada in Spain at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology conference in Amsterdam.
Researchers believe the areas of the brain which encourage cravings could help health professionals to manage the condition of obesity in individuals.
According to the Daily Mail, researchers offered snacks to obese individuals and those with a normal weight. The moment images of food were shown to participants a simultaneous brain scan was carried out on the individuals.
The MRI scans have revealed that when obese individuals looked at pictures of food two areas in the brain became active. According to scientists the connectivity between the two areas in the brain is a positive demonstration of a wanting to consume foods that are rich in calories.
Further the study has indicted that 11 percent of weight gain in individuals who are obese can be predicted for a time frame of three months using the information derived from the existence of these connections.
Heading the research Dr Oren Contreras-Rodriguez, University of Granada in Spain, told the Mirror at the moment there is controversy whether obesity can be termed as "food addiction", but added that very little findings indicate this to be true.
Dr Rodriguez said the study has shown that in terms of the reward process once a food stimuli is presented to obese participants the connectivity to certain areas in the brain would behave in a similar way to those who experienced substance addiction.
