Overweight: the interaction between the reward system and self-control The present food environment along with our changed
life style challenges the way we are able to keep our weight within (nonpathological) limits. Major changes have been the
increase in caloric densities of food, and the enhanced and ever changing taste and sweetness of food, surpassing thereby
the mechanical/physical
... [Show full abstract] limitations of food intake. The problem in itself is not much different from that with respect to
drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes. For, whether it is food, alcoholic beverages or cigarettes, they all pose a challenge
to the balance between the reward system and the system regulating selfcontrol. In this paper it is therefore argued that
by understanding the interplay between the reward and cognitive control system in humans (and animals) with respect to food
the development of some aspects of overweight may be understood, and the problem accordingly tackled in terms of for instance
policy making.
