Like alcohol or other drugs impulsive behaviour may lead some people to develop an unhealthy relationship with food. Researchers have found that people with impulsive personalities were more likely to report higher levels of food addiction - a compulsive pattern of eating that is similar to drug addiction - and may lead to obesity. 'The notion of food addiction is a very new one. We think it's possible to think about impulsivity food addiction and obesity using some of the same techniques used for alcohol or other drugs' said James MacKillop associate professor of psychology at University of Georgia's Franklin