Food addiction is a universal phenomenon, but no country suffers from food addiction more than the United States. Approximately 2/3 of adults in the United States are overweight and 30-percent are obese. No other country has statistics quite as high. Even people who are considered to be at a healthy weight in the United States are often addicted to a certain type of food or several types. Food addiction in the United States can be traced back to many factors, and provides an example of what can happen when food addiction is not kept in check.

Food addiction, like any other addiction, is caused by psychological, environmental and biological factors. Biology is probably the most basic and obvious factor that contributes to food addiction. Some people are naturally prone to overeating because of their chemical make up, which may or may not include disease such as a thyroid condition or a hormone imbalance. Psychological contributors such as depression and anxiety can also largely influence a food addiction. Someone trying to cope with a mental disorder or psychological strain will frequently turn to food in order to escape stress. And environmental factors typically play a part in food addiction as well, such as a family member who over eats or family meals that are too largely portioned.

Food addiction can be a particularly difficult addiction to break away from because it has to be controlled, not eradicated. No one has the option to separate themselves from food to end a food addiction; addicts must practice restraint at every meal and every snack in order to make a full recovery. A person can end an addiction to food, but it is not something to take lightly. Many people have had to turn to addiction counseling or rehabilitation to end their food addiction. Food is the easiest substance to abuse because it is so easily accessed. Some food addicts require a detoxification process to restore their physical health, which can be utilized at facilities such as a Vancouver treatment facility or a British Columbia detox center. If you or someone you care about is struggling to end a food addiction, do not wait any longer to contact a mental health professional about addiction recovery.