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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2010 Nov 1.
Published in final edited form as: Am J Addict. 2009 Nov–Dec;18(6):439–451. doi: 10.3109/10550490903205579

TABLE 4.

Characteristics common to individuals with overweight/obesity and substance use disorders

Personality Characteristics

  • Elevated scores on novelty-seeking scale of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI)

  • Low scores on the self-directedness scale of the TCI

  • Higher scores on self-report measures of impulsivity.

  • Poorer scores on the Iowa Gambling Task.

  • Preference for smaller immediate vs. larger delayed rewards on Delayed Discounting Task.

Disruptive Behavior Disorders

  • Higher rates of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

  • Higher rates of Conduct Disorder

  • Deficits on tests of executive functions.

Brain Mechanisms

  • Overeating and substance use stimulate mesocorticolimbic dopamine system acutely

  • Number of D2 dopamine receptors decreased from normal levels in brains of obese individuals and chronic substance users, suggesting downregulation of receptors with chronic stimulation of dopamine system.