Managing an Eating Addiction

Some new lawsuits are aiming to prove that food can be addicting, and that some people are overweight because they lose control when eating certain foods – in particular, junk foods. Lawsuits against fast food giants and makers of junk food are plentiful, all claiming that the companies purposely make food to be more addicting even though they know the consequences it will have on some people. George Washington University professor John Banzhaf, declared in a press release, “Once the addiction evidence is strong enough, fast food outlets could be held liable for failing to warn consumers.” (1) The results of the lawsuits could be stricter regulations for food makers and even more class action lawsuits. We may very well see the day when junk foods have warning labels slapped all over them, much like tobacco products today do.

Causes of Overeating

Unfortunately, there is such a thing as food addiction. People become obsessed with food everyday, and it holds as much power over them as drugs hold over a drug addict. However, this does not mean that the makers of the food are to be blamed. It is sometimes simply the chemistry of the person’s brain or mental health issues that causes the person to be obsessed with food. It will take more than warning labels on food to keep people from becoming addicted. Helping shift our focus off of food and body image, as well as helping people learn how to deal with stress and unhappiness in their lives, will be what decreases food addictions.

Addicted to Food

There is a difference between someone with a true addiction to food and a person who is overweight simply from neglect or overeating. Some people are overweight because of problems with their metabolism or because their genetics have been designed that way. Not everyone who is overweight has a food addiction.

Those with a true food addiction cannot stop thinking about food. Their whole life revolves around eating, so much so that other areas of their life suffer. Even if the person is talented, successful, and educated, a food addiction can reduce them to obsessing about eating.

Someone with a food addiction is definitely not alone. There are treatment options for them, just as there are for drug addicts and alcoholics. Eating Addictions Anonymous is a support group system to help those suffering with this addiction. By following the 12 Steps and gaining strength and insight from each other, many in this group have learned how to manage this addiction. Lawsuits may not be able to stop this addiction from carrying on, but education and treatment can help change people’s lives.