Nearly one in five adults in the United States frequently or constantly experience thoughts and cravings about food, even when they are not hungry, according to a new study by researchers at Penn State. The findings highlight the prevalence of a phenomenon known as “food noise”, which has gained attention across social media, traditional media and discussions surrounding GLP-1 weight-loss medications.
The study, published in Obesity Science and Practice, found that 18% of respondents experienced food noise frequently or always, while more than 80% reported experiencing it at least occasionally. Only 17% of participants said they never experienced food noise.
Researchers also identified differences across demographic groups. Women, younger adults, people of Asian descent and individuals with a history of GLP-1 medication use were more likely to report frequent food noise than other participants.
“Understanding food noise is the first step to managing it,” said Daisuke Hayashi, postdoctoral fellow in nutritional sciences at Penn State and lead author of the study. He explained that identifying the groups most likely to experience food noise could help researchers develop better ways to address the phenomenon.
What Is Food Noise and How Common Is It?
Food noise refers to persistent or intrusive thoughts about food, including cravings and repeated thoughts about eating, regardless of whether someone is physically hungry. Although the term has become increasingly popular in recent years, researchers have yet to establish a universally accepted scientific definition.
To examine its prevalence, the Penn State researchers included a question in the 2026 Society of Behavioral Medicine Omnibus Survey. The online survey included 1,000 adults whose demographic characteristics broadly represented the US population and was conducted by a private company in May 2026.
Participants were asked how frequently they experienced food noise and were instructed to rate their experiences on a five-point scale, ranging from never to always. Researchers then compared their responses with demographic information, health conditions and previous or current use of GLP-1 medications.
The results showed that food noise was more common among certain population groups.
Women were approximately 1.8 times more likely than men to report frequent food noise. Participants identifying as Asian were twice as likely to report frequent food noise compared with people of other racial backgrounds. Younger adults also reported higher levels than middle-aged and older participants.
One particularly notable finding involved people who reported losing control over their eating. They were almost six times more likely to experience frequent or constant food noise than the average survey participant.
Individuals currently taking or previously taking GLP-1 medications were approximately 1.5 times more likely than the average respondent to report frequent food noise.
Women and GLP-1 Medication Users Report Higher Food Noise
Researchers described the findings as a combination of expected and unexpected results. However, they cautioned that the survey did not investigate the reasons behind differences in food noise across demographic groups.
The higher prevalence among women was consistent with previous research suggesting that women are more likely to attempt weight loss, which may be associated with increased attention to food and eating habits.
The findings involving Asian participants, however, require further investigation.
“This is something for researchers to look at in the future,” Hayashi said. “But there is no existing data or theory to support this result, and we wouldn’t want to make generalizations based on one result, especially from a study with only about 50 Asian participants.”
The association between GLP-1 medication use and frequent food noise also surprised researchers initially. GLP-1 medications are widely discussed in relation to weight management and reductions in food-related thoughts and cravings.
Travis Masterson, associate professor of nutritional sciences at Penn State and co-author of the study, offered a possible explanation for the finding.
“The term food noise actually emerged from discussions with people who used GLP-1s for weight loss and experienced a sudden reduction in food noise,” said Masterson. “At first glance, it might seem surprising that GLP-1 users reported more food noise than other people, but this result could arise from an awareness issue. If GLP-1s reduce food noise, those who use GLP-1s might be hyperaware of any food noise they do experience and, therefore, more likely to report it.”
Researchers Highlight Importance of Recognising Food Noise
The researchers believe the findings could have implications for healthcare professionals and people who regularly experience intrusive thoughts about food.
Masterson said that doctors and other healthcare providers should recognise how commonly patients experience food noise and consider developing ways to help them manage it.
“Medical doctors and other clinicians need to know a large proportion of their patients report dealing with this issue,” said Masterson, who is also associate director for research at the Penn State Center of Immersive Experiences. “Hopefully, this information will inspire people to seek training on how to help their patients address food noise.”
The study also challenges the assumption that difficulties controlling eating habits are simply a matter of personal willpower.
“For years in popular culture, we have been sold the myth that people who carry unwanted body weight lack the willpower to control what they eat,” Hayashi said. “When one in five adults says they think about food most or all the time, whether they are hungry or not, is this really a question of willpower? Or are there other forces affecting people’s mental and emotional experiences with food? The evidence points strongly to the latter. If you believe food noise is causing problems in your life, talk to your medical provider about what you can do.”
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