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Prevalence and correlates of perceived food noise among U.S. adults in a nationally representative sample
The concept of food noise, reflecting individuals’ thoughts centered around food, has gained attention in recent discussions. However, the extent to which U.S. adults report experiencing this phenomenon remains uncertain.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of perceived food noise and the demographic and behavioral characteristics associated with it, using data from Verasight’s SBM Omnibus Survey conducted in May 2026, which included a sample of 1,000 participants.
Results indicated that 50.89% of respondents experienced food noise at least occasionally, with 17.98% reporting frequent experiences. Women identified more strongly with food noise, with 22.70% of female respondents versus 12.68% of male respondents (p < 0.001). Younger adults also exhibited higher frequencies, with 26.50% reporting frequent experiences (p = 0.002). Among ethnic groups, 32.22% of Asian respondents reported frequent food noise, a statistically significant difference (p = 0.007).
Food noise was notably more prevalent among individuals who reported loss of control over their eating (56.77%, p < 0.001), dietary restriction (27.84%, p < 0.001), and those attempting recent weight loss (24.33%, p < 0.001). Furthermore, current and former users of GLP-1 medications reported higher frequencies of 25.76% and 26.78%, respectively, compared with 16.30% among non-users (p = 0.009). The data also linked frequent experiences of food noise to poorer diet quality and diminished mental health.
Multivariable analyses revealed that loss of control over eating (OR = 5.95), current GLP-1 use (OR = 1.60), and being female (OR = 1.47) were the most significant independent predictors of food noise experiences.
This research underscores the commonality of self-reported food noise among U.S. adults and identifies significant demographic and disordered eating-related factors associated with it. The findings underline the need for additional studies to explore the clinical implications of this emerging concept. [NPID: Food noise, GLP-1, dieting, dietary restriction, weight-loss]
Year: 2026
