Are Ultra-Processed Foods the “Hidden Addiction” of Aging?

I’ve recently had the pleasure of sharing meals with several different friends, all in their 50s or 60s. I couldn’t help but notice that those who were struggling the most with the challenges of aging ordered more fried or salty food and desserts. While ultra-processed food generally refers to prepackaged foods, any food that gives you a ‘quick hit’ of satisfaction can feel addictive.

I was interested in this September 2025 study by Loch, published in Addiction, which examined a nationally representative sample of adults aged 50–80 and found that about 12.4% met criteria for ultra-processed food addiction, with rates especially high in women 50–64. The study links this addictive-style eating not just to weight, but to poorer physical health, worse mental health, and greater social isolation.

Learn More: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.70186