Beyond Hunger: Understanding Food Noise
Thinking about food is a natural part of everyone’s day. But for many people, thoughts of food can become intrusive and inescapable. This is real—and it has a name: food noise.
While the experience of food noise is common among those living with overweight or obesity, few surveyed had heard of it before. According to a new study conducted by WeightWatchers and STOP Obesity Alliance at George Washington University’s Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness, 57% of survey participants say they’ve experienced food noise, but only 12% had been familiar with the term.
To learn more about food noise, view the full consumer trend report.
This report reveals a deeper understanding of food noise, which may reflect a biological contribution to obesity, and brings it to the forefront of the cultural conversation around weight bias, GLP-1 medications, and weight health.
It takes a deep dive into how food noise impacts more than half of individuals living with overweight or obesity, as well as provides a better understanding of the complex nature of obesity to help change harmful perceptions and biases.
What is food noise?
What is food noise?
While there is not yet a clinical definition for food noise, the phenomenon is well documented by physicians and their patients. It's more than just physical hunger. Food noise is considered constant, intrusive thoughts about food that are disruptive to daily life and make healthful behaviors extremely difficult.
Of those living with overweight or obesity:
wish they didn’t think about food as often as they do
fight the urge to eat even though they aren’t hungry
say that food noise makes it difficult to stick to a nutrition or exercise plan
say that food noise makes it difficult to make healthy food choices
wish they didn’t think about food as often as they do
fight the urge to eat even though they aren’t hungry
say that food noise makes it difficult to stick to a nutrition or exercise plan
say that food noise makes it difficult to make healthy food choices
Food noise facts
It can:
Happen to anyone, and its intensity can vary due to genetics and many other factors
Occur even when you’re not hungry, making it difficult to stick to healthy routines
Be triggered by your environment, mood, or health conditions
It’s not surprising that constant and intrusive thoughts about food can get in the way of true weight health.
Obesity is a chronic condition—not a reflection of willpower
People living with overweight or obesity face several challenges in their daily lives:
Their own internal bias
Food noise
The way they’re treated by others
Of those living with overweight or obesity
have been teased and discriminated against for their weight
judge themselves because of their weight
have tried to lose weight more times than they can count
are currently trying to lose weight
have been teased and discriminated against for their weight
judge themselves because of their weight
have tried to lose weight more times than they can count
are currently trying to lose weight
Simplistic judgments often obscure the realities of those living with obesity. Over half of those not living with overweight or obesity agree that those living with obesity aren’t taking care of themselves—in reality, nearly half have tried more times than they can count to lose weight.
Changing perceptions
Despite the facts and proven efficacy of GLP-1s, many of those not living with overweight or obesity are critical of these new treatments. For example, 68% think that people take GLP-1 medications to lose weight quickly—but that’s true for only 19% of GLP-1 users. That's not the only myth floating around:
say they have more respect for people who lose weight without medications than those who use them
believe that people using GLP-1s for weight management are prioritizing appearance over their health
say that people taking GLP-1s are taking the easy way out
think weight management medications were being taken away from those who "really" needed them
say they have more respect for people who lose weight without medications than those who use them
believe that people using GLP-1s for weight management are prioritizing appearance over their health
say that people taking GLP-1s are taking the easy way out
think weight management medications were being taken away from those who "really" needed them
Turn down the volume on food noise
Turn down the volume on food noise
There are some non-medical ways to ease food noise (managing stress, getting enough good sleep, eating fiber or protein) but GLP-1 weight-management medications reduce food noise and decrease appetite, making it easier to lose weight and get healthier.
But how do they work, exactly?
GLP-1s address the biological and psychological factors that contribute to obesity in a way that other solutions can’t
They hit receptors in the brain that affect both satiety and the reward pathways
Food noise is quieted, removing one of the biggest obstacles to maintaining healthy habits
GLP-1s address the biological and psychological factors that contribute to obesity in a way that other solutions can’t
They hit receptors in the brain that affect both satiety and the reward pathways
Food noise is quieted, removing one of the biggest obstacles to maintaining healthy habits
The stats speak for themselves.
76%
find it easier to pick healthier food options
72%
find it easier to stick to their nutrition and exercise plans for weight loss
58%
experience an improved ability to focus
76%
find it easier to pick healthier food options
72%
find it easier to stick to their nutrition and exercise plans for weight loss
58%
experience an improved ability to focus
The cure for misinformation? Education. After learning about food noise, the notion that GLP-1s are a tool for managing a chronic condition vs. an easy way out increased by 23% among those not living with overweight or obesity.
Looking for more weight health info?
Keep the convo going and get the resources you need here.
Are weight-management medications right for you?
Sign up now to get access to the GLP-1 Program and WeightWatchers Clinic.
To learn more about food noise, view the full consumer trend report.
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