The food addiction

There are treatment centers and free counseling available to those addicted to drugs, smoking, sex or alcohol. Treatment is usually paid for by insurance companies because these addictions, left untreated, substantially raise future medical costs. There is sympathy and support for these victims who struggle daily with uncontrollable cravings and feelings of deprivation.

There is one addiction that insurance doesn't cover and receives no sympathy - food.

It's not a matter of willpower or "controlling" yourself. It is an addiction and has the same characteristics as the ones listed above. I believe obesity causes more illness than all of the listed addictions put together, yet insurance companies refuse to pay for treatment, although they will pay for bariatric surgery.

Do they truly believe that overweight people would be overweight if they could help it? A large percentage of people who lose weight gain it back (relapse just like other addicts). Obesity is a psychological condition that needs free (or insurance-covered) treatment. Writing this makes me so angry I need to go and have a doughnut.

Eleanor Wasielewski

Grayslake