Question: Are junk food companies morally responsible for the obesity epidemic when they do things like market unhealthy products to kids and conduct massive scientific studies to find ways to get us to eat more of stuff that’s really killing us? Or is it just a personal responsibility issue? Are food companies like tobacco companies? I am interested to learn of a food expert’s take on this situation. Thanks in advance for your response.

Lita Perna Says...:

Thank you.

You’ve asked a great question but you are asking for opinion, not fact.

Also, I do not consider myself a food expert.

First, two questions for you: Where do kids get the money to purchase all this junk food that’s being marketed to them? Do you think their parents are the ones who should be the 'morally responsible' parties here?

I think ‘junk’ or any other food companies are as ‘morally responsible’ for ‘stuff that’s really killing us’ as are those who discovered and introduced the human race to fire, which can also be deadly of it gets out of control.

Water can kill too.

It's a matter of degree.

My opinion is that we are each responsible for our own behavior which includes deciding what we put in our mouths, what and if we smoke and what and whom we choose to let into our lives.

We are responsible for ourselves.

And parents are responsible for their children.

And food companies are responsible to their share holders.

Question: I addicted to food. Is a long fast or juice cleanse a good way to start a new eating plan. Sort of like how an alcoholic needs to give up drinking completely I feel almost like I need to give up eating completely to start to break free from its power over me.

Lita Perna Says...:

No.

This will most likely have a rebound effect in which you will feel deprived, be hungry and eat more, or eat unhealthy. Your body has a 'thermostat' which is a set point it strives to achieve and maintain. Starving yourself is never a good idea, and it does not work. You will be struggling against your body.

You need to learn about healthy foods and healthy eating.

Arm yourself with information.

Work on your head first.

Work on your emotions.

Only then will you have the tools you need to succeed.

One needs food to survive.

No one needs alcohol to survive.

You can give up alcohol.

You can not give up food.

Question: What’s the difference between food addiction and binge eating disorder? I have a problem controlling how much I eat but I don’t really understand the difference between these two conditions.

Lita Perna Says...:

Is binge eating an addiction?

Yes and no.

The term “process addiction” is used to create a category of addictions that are different from substance addictions. Process addiction is compulsive behavior which is related to a process, while substance addiction requires the ingestion of a particular substance.

Binge eating is a Process addiction, which is an addiction to an activity or process, such as eating, spending money, or gambling.

Terry Wilson, a psychologist from Rutgers University believes the case for binging being an addiction is ‘weak’ because in true addiction, the abused substance is the focus of urges, cravings and the ‘high’. With binge eating, the binge eater is not focused on the substance of abuse.

But research shows there may be a link between binge eating and addiction. There are brain imaging studies that show a significant overlap between brain circuits aroused by an addict’s craving and those of a binge eater thinking about a binge.

The jury is out. There needs to be more research.

For you, this doesn’t matter because binge eating and addictions require psychological treatment.

Coming here and asking this question is a good first step.

I'm glad you know that you need to get help.