Food Noise Affects Up to 9.5% of US Adults, New Study Finds
National Prevalence Estimates for Food Noise Among US Adults Not Using GLP-1 Medications
An estimated 4% to 9.5% of United States adults who are not currently taking glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists met questionnaire-based criteria for food noise, according to a recent study published as a preprint on the Research Square platform. The preliminary scientific report, authored by Branislav Jovanovic, Nickolas Jones, Fengqing Zhang, and colleagues, examines the prevalence and psychometric properties of food noise in a nationally representative sample.
Key Clinical Takeaways:
- Between 4% and 9.5% of US adults not using GLP-1 medications met criteria for food noise depending on the scoring definition applied in the survey.
- Obesity affects roughly 40% of the US adult population, yet the majority of individuals with obesity did not meet the study’s food noise criteria.
- Food noise scores were elevated among younger adults aged 18 to 59 compared to those aged 60 and older, and higher among women than men.
Psychometric Evaluation Using the NORC AmeriSpeak Panel
To investigate how persistent food-related thoughts manifest in the general population, researchers at Drexel University and the University of California, Irvine utilized data from the Fall wave—spanning August through October 2025—of the NORC AmeriSpeak Panel. Participants currently using GLP-1 receptor agonists were excluded from the analysis to establish a baseline in a non-treated population. The study sample comprised 3,646 participants, with women accounting for 53.9% of the weighted sample. Body mass index classifications categorized 40.8% of participants as having obesity, 30.6% as overweight, 26.9% as normal weight, and 1.7% as underweight.
The investigators administered the five-item Food Noise Questionnaire to measure experiences during the preceding two weeks. The instrument evaluated persistent food-related thoughts, the time consumed by these thoughts, their interference with daily activities, perceived lack of control over them, and any associated negative effects. Responses were recorded on a Likert scale, and a composite score was calculated by averaging the items. The study split the sample into two roughly equal groups to test and confirm the psychometric structure of the questionnaire, finding that the five items accounted for roughly 80% of the variance.
Variation in Prevalence Estimates Across Scoring Definitions
The proportion of adults meeting food noise criteria shifted depending on the stringency of the threshold applied. When utilizing the least stringent definition—requiring agreement or strong agreement with at least three of the five items—approximately 9.5% of adults met the criteria. That figure declined to 6.1% when endorsement of at least four items was required, and dropped to approximately 4% when requiring a mean score of four or higher across all items.
Among participants with obesity, prevalence estimates ranged from 6% to 13.7% depending on the chosen threshold. Statistical models adjusted for weight status revealed that individuals classified with overweight or obesity recorded higher food noise scores than those of normal weight. Participants aged 18 to 59 years demonstrated higher scores than adults aged 60 or older, and men reported lower scores than women.
The study authors emphasize that these population estimates remain preliminary because no clinically validated threshold currently exists for food noise. Because the research relied on a cross-sectional design, the data cannot establish whether food noise directly contributes to the pathogenesis of obesity. Additional investigations are required to determine the clinical relevance of food noise, clarify its underlying biological mechanisms, and establish whether the phenomenon is distinct from standard food cravings and general food preoccupation.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.