Understanding Food Addiction

Sheila Dillon hears why some clinicians and researchers want the condition 'Ultra-Processed Food Addiction' to be recognised by groups such as The World Health Organisation.

Earlier this year, Dr Jen Unwin (clinical psychologist) and some like-minded international colleagues, including Dr Chris Van Tulleken (scientist, author and broadcaster), came together in London to discuss why they believe Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF), as defined by the NOVA Food Classification system, are the most problematic, and are causing more addicted like behaviours in people. They say if the addiction was formalised, then Government's would have to do more to regulate these foods and the food industry.

People who consider themselves food addicts, explain to Sheila what the addiction is like to live with, how they stay abstinent from certain foods, and why they believe it would help others if the diagnosis was available to more people.

Sheila also speaks to a specialist in Eating Disorders who says they don't believe the scientific evidence for Food Addiction is strong enough, and has concerns that labelling certain foods as 'bad' or 'toxic' could lead to more disordered eating.

Presented by Sheila Dillon Produced by Natalie Donovan in Bristol.

Additional Resources: https://the-chc.org/fas https://liberatetoday.org/ https://liberatetoday.org/