Why loneliness is associated with food cravings in some women

Loneliness can be a risk factor for many mental and physical health challenges, including unhealthy eating habits and obesity. Now a new study suggests that alterations in the lonely brain may be why some women are more susceptible to poor food choices.

Researchers have found that when exposed to images of food — particularly sweet, calorie-rich foods — the brains of women who reported being lonely showed increased activity in regions associated with rumination, and reduced activity in an area associated with control.