Comfort food....Ye-gads!....

...not always easy to define, and often quite different for different folks. Most have a few, and seem to learn the addictions in younger years. But a few foods seem to be near universal favorites.
High contents of fats, and spices, including salt, ---in many. And carbs with simple sugars, of course. Also, there are cultural differences. But more apparent similarities.
There's science, even possibly evolutionary forces, behind some cravings. Simple sugars are the main currency of the brain, and fats have the highest calorie content per unit mass, twice that of carbs or other simple sugar based larger molecules. Many ingredients in these foods were rare in the distant past, among many populations. The first addictive treats? And the brain regions, pancreas and even fat cells elaborate hormones of desire and comfort, when blasted with these delights, so there.
Yet not so fast. There are also links with inflammatory processes and these treats. And inflammation is rapidly replacing the old monoamine hypotheses in causing depression, and anxiety. Then there is the world wide curse of obesity, even among youth, which often is regulated, in part, by similar hormones. Worse, the type of fat tissues involved can preferentially be laid down in younger years. And are harder to get rid of, without surgery, at least for now. Double and triple whammies for those of "just a few extra pounds", as in so many CS profiles, sadly. Familiar and cultural influences as well. Malk on the streets of this little town, and observe families walking together. Obesity.
The good news is that these are active areas of research. In particular, on the links between all the above mentioned factors, and mood, emotions, behaviors and being overweight. Even psychiatrists, the nail and tattoo artists of real medicine, are involved.
And there's lots more. We can train ourselves to find more healthful foods of some comfort. I've done so, and the fat little illiterate Vierk Gnome is now close to boyish HS/college wrestling weight. But truth be said, the bad stuff still hasn't fully lost its allure, in spite of the uses of fiber, dried fruits, and such.
Recall, demon alcohol and other substances, notably nicotine and the opiates, hold many with strong arms, but many also quit addictions every day. Often for life. Some former alcoholic drinkers can even practice more controlled, non-alcoholic drinking, and their newer programs are now challenge those older ones based on the powerful sponsorship, spirituality and 12 steps.
We are more complicated than we are simple. Both good, and not so good, news.