So do we have a food addiction?

I saw a comment on the Weight Watchers message boards that I got me thinking. What is your opinion? Are we addicts?

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[califtricia1]

saw his show about a guy who weight over 1,000 lbs...it was so sad he just laid in bed that broke so they were there to take him out of the house ,some one has to feed him so who really to blame it is not like he can move to get up and get something himself . my journey started when i hit a # on the scale if i didn;t stop now then when ?yes i have/had a eating disorder you shouldn't conpair them to each other treat them 4 what they are and hopefully we can live a healthy happy long life ..

[frogger1017]

is not that people are addicted to food, its thattheir addicted to fake, junk food. There are similiarities and disimilarities about fake food addiction and alcoholism. My brother is a fake food addict and if he hasnt has his fix of processed white sugar then he is capable of tearing someone's head off, his mood and temper totally shift, but maybe thats just him. take care

[TsuniNight]

Forgot to mention. Obesity, like alcoholism, can indeed damage internal organs over time. Hearts, livers, blood pressure (though I guess you could link this on to the heart), diabetes, bones, on and on. It usually takes a long time, but it does with alcoholics, smokers, etc too. I guess there are health problems with pretty much all addictions. BUT I don’t believe all over weight ppl are addicted to food.

[TsuniNight]

So food addiction is a real thing. I don't consider exactly like an alcohol addiction, or etc, but as you said you can't stop eating. It's a required substance. I think that makes real food addictions so hard to get over. I got fat because I eat when I'm stressed out I eat as a coping mechanism, training ( i.e. my famly celebrates, mourns, etc by eating/going out to eat/etc), lazy (convenience food instead of cooking). Good post

[dynya742]

I agree with you. Also, I wonder if it doesn't really matter if someone sees it as an addiction or not (?). The point is, then what? We still have to remake our relationship with food. Whatever you call it, we need to choose those foods that we can manage in moderation.

[01oceanspray]

But you can't label everyone who struggles to lose weight the same. People can be overweight because of genes or being ignorant of nutrition. For others more of a "choice" may come into play like when you are eating for pleasure or to cope with emotions such as stress. I believe the mind and hormones are very powerful and there is no denying that eating certain things can make you feel good and if we choose we can abuse that. However I don't label myself a food addict, it feels like a cop-out.

[fabulousclarinetist]

I think that people can become addicted to only certain foods. Its the junk and chemicals that we become "addicted" to. I haven't ever heard of anyone that got up in the middle of the night and had a carrot binge, or broccoli, or bananas. In fact, the whole thought of that sounds kinda silly doesn't it? I mean someone eating 3 bags of carrots? But there are people that can easily put away 3 bags of potato chips. So, I don't think its exactly a "food" addiction, but a chemical addiction.

[01oceanspray]

Thanks for posting things like this. Really gets you thinking, eh?

I think there are definitely people out there who have eating addictions and maybe their behavior could be compared with alcoholism. I know there are people that wake up in the middle of the night to order fast food or binge on large quantities of food. I don't know if you know of the existence of OA Overeaters Anonymous, but it is very much like AA with sponsors and a very strict regimen for "sobriety".

[silverose1209]

I do have a food addiction. That I know. I am not an alcoholic so I don't really know how to compare it. I tend to compulsively eat at times I guess. Once I start eating its really hard to stop. I have come to "like" the stuffed feeling.

I see what you mean about food does not cause you to go get in a fight. My brother is an alcoholic and I see him going through so many physical problems in his early 40's.

[rosienotrose]

It's difficult. I think 2equate it 2alcoholism is inflammatory. There r possibly similar triggers 4comfort eaters & other addicts but as u said, we NEED food. I think that is 1reason why it's often so difficult 2c the problem 2begin with.

1 point that u mention about the way alcohol can damage liver/kidneys whereas food doesn't, I'd have 2 disagree with u. Long term obesity damages our bodies just as much as alcoholism. Heart disease, diabetes, & sleep apnea are just the tip of the iceberg.