Erica LaFata

Dr. Erica LaFata, a research scientist and clinical psychologist, discusses her groundbreaking Food Addiction Symptom Inventory (FASI), designed to diagnose ultra-processed food addiction. She highlights the urgency for a structured clinical tool, comparing it to alcohol use disorders. Key topics include the overlap of eating disorders and food addiction, the risks of misdiagnosis, and the importance of clinician competencies in treatment. Erica also examines the implications of early exposure to ultra-processed foods and debates the effectiveness of abstinence versus harm reduction strategies.