Food Addiction Is A Real Addiction

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(introduction) In the United States, 33% of men and 35% of women are classified as obese, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater. (nihms1) Upon hearing this statistic it is easy to assume that this is due to sedentary lifestyle or simply to genetic disposition. However, this large number of obese American’s is typically caused by over indulgence in high caloric foods. The definition of addiction from the Oxford dictionary describes addiction as a condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with, or involved in something. The word addiction usually brings to mind just drugs and alcohol. However, food addiction is a real addiction. It presents itself as a compulsive need to eat even if there is no physical need for…show more content…
Through new research and numerous studies it is becoming clear and more socially-aware that overeating is causing addictive behaviors. Most clinical studies in the past have focused primarily on eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa and anorexia. In recent years more attention has been focused on the growing number of Americans with obesity which is also considered an eating disorder. In the search for possible originating causes more research has been done in the fields of brain imaging, parallel addiction, chemical malfunction and genetics.
(Thesis) Are individuals who are addicted to food just lazy, or lack willpower? Are they just looking for an excuse, without guilt, to be able to over indulge in delicious calorie dense foods saying, “I can’t help it,” or “It’s out of my control.” In the past few years there has been an increase in awareness of the link between overeating and obesity. There are government mandated public school food calorie and portion limits in place to help prevent overeating. There are also numerous programs in almost all 50 states to assist individuals who have an overeating disorder such as, Overeating Anonymous, and Eating Disorders Anonymous. The prevalence of these programs shows that compulsive eating is a true addiction and is becoming a public health problem. Many individuals believe that overeating is a lack of self-control and that excuses are made so overeaters may partake in abundance of
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