Confronting Food Addiction: Empowering Leaders for Success
Hello! I’m Denise G. Lee, an entrepreneur coach here to help leaders and business owners improve their lives. Today, I want to touch on a topic that impacts many of us: food addiction. This issue isn’t just personal—it can also affect your professional life and leadership abilities.
In this article, we’ll explore what food addiction is, why it matters, and how it can impact you as a leader or business owner. We’ll dig into the science and psychology behind food addiction and explain why tackling this issue is important for your well-being and success. But first, let’s define what food addiction is.
What is Food Addiction?
Food addiction is a serious condition where people feel a compulsive urge to eat, even when they’re not hungry or are choosing unhealthy foods. It’s more than just enjoying food or overeating now and then. Overconsuming food or denying food is often used as a way to replace, minimize, deny, or suppress strong emotions or a difficult past or present reality.
And if you struggle with food addiction, you are not alone. Approximately 14% of adults and 12% of children in the United States meet the criteria for food addiction, according to research by Michigan Medicine. Additionally, a poll found that about 1 in 8 Americans over 50, or roughly 13%, struggle with an addiction to highly processed foods. These figures suggest that food addiction is a significant issue affecting a substantial portion of the U.S. population.
Why Do Only 14% of Americans Meet the Criteria for Food Addiction?
So, you might be reading this and thinking, “Wait a minute—only 14% of Americans struggle with highly processed foods?” But here’s what else you know:
- As of 2024, the obesity rate for adults in the United States is around 42%.
- Fast food remains popular, with many Americans frequently including it in their diets.
- Americans are, on average, 20 pounds heavier than they were nearly 50 years ago.
- Processed foods and sugary drinks, like cola and energy drinks, continue to be widely consumed, contributing to overall calorie intake.
- The average dress size for women in the United States is now reported to be between sizes 16 and 18.
- The average waist size has increased over time; in 1999-2000, the average male waist size was 39 inches, but by 2015-2016, it had increased to 40.2 inches.
So, you’re looking at this 14% and thinking I must be missing something, that I’ve chosen to ignore the body shape and size of the average American. I get it. I see what you probably see every day.
But here’s the deal—yes, it’s clear that America, along with many other Western countries, has an obesity problem. Yet, for various reasons, we don’t address it because…
Western Culture Struggles with Highly Processed Foods Because...
1. Denial and Normalization
- Society often normalizes obesity by focusing on body positivity while overlooking the associated health risks. This can create an environment where unhealthy body weights are accepted as the norm, leading to less urgency in addressing the issue.
2. Convenience Culture
- In a fast-paced world, convenience often outweighs health concerns. Busy lifestyles lead many to choose quick, unhealthy food options like fast food and processed snacks, which are more accessible than preparing healthier meals.
3. Misinformation
- Conflicting dietary advice and misleading marketing of “health” foods contribute to widespread confusion about what constitutes a healthy diet. This misinformation can lead people to make choices that they believe are healthy but are actually harmful in the long run.
4. Addiction to Processed Foods
- Processed foods are engineered to be addictive, with high levels of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats that trigger cravings. This makes it difficult for individuals to break free from unhealthy eating habits, even when they are aware of the consequences.
5. Socioeconomic Factors
- Healthy food options are not equally accessible to everyone. People in lower socioeconomic groups often have limited access to affordable, nutritious food, leading them to rely on cheaper, calorie-dense, and nutrient-poor options that contribute to obesity.
6. Lack of Education and Awareness
- Many people are not fully educated about the risks of obesity and the importance of proper nutrition. Without a clear understanding of how diet impacts long-term health, individuals are less likely to make informed choices that prevent obesity.
7. Emotional Eating and Mental Health
- Emotional eating is a common coping mechanism for stress, depression, and anxiety. When people turn to food for comfort, especially high-calorie, unhealthy foods, it can lead to weight gain and create a cycle that’s hard to break.
8. Cultural and Familial Influences
- Eating habits are often deeply rooted in cultural traditions and family practices. These influences can perpetuate unhealthy dietary patterns, making it challenging for individuals to adopt healthier eating habits that differ from what they’ve grown up with.
9. Medical Industry’s Role
- The medical industry often focuses on treating the symptoms of obesity, like diabetes and heart disease, rather than addressing its root causes. This reactive approach means that the underlying issues contributing to obesity are often left unaddressed.
10. Personal Responsibility vs. Societal Responsibility
- There’s a tension between viewing obesity as a personal issue versus a societal one. While individuals are often blamed for their weight, this perspective ignores broader systemic factors like food deserts, lack of education, and aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods, which also contribute to the problem.
Types of Eating Disorders
As I mentioned earlier, food addiction is not simply about overeating or avoidance of food. Common eating disorders linked to food addiction include bulimia and anorexia. But there is so much more than just these two. In this section, I will discuss the various types of food addictions.
Anorexia Nervosa:
People with this disorder starve themselves and lose a lot of weight. They are very afraid of gaining weight and often see their bodies differently than they really are.
Bulimia Nervosa:
This is when someone eats a lot of food quickly and then tries to get rid of it by vomiting, using laxatives, or exercising too much.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED):
This happens when someone regularly eats a lot of food at once and doesn’t try to get rid of it afterward. It can make them feel out of control and upset.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID):
People with this disorder avoid certain foods, which can lead to poor nutrition, weight loss, or problems in social situations.
Pica:
This is when someone eats things that aren’t food, like dirt, paper, or soap.
Rumination Disorder:
This involves bringing food back up after swallowing it, which might then be chewed again, swallowed, or spit out.
Orthorexia:
This is when someone is overly focused on eating only healthy foods, which can lead to poor nutrition or very strict eating habits. It’s not officially recognized as its own eating disorder.
Purging Disorder:
This is when someone tries to get rid of food from their body without binge eating first.
Night Eating Syndrome:
This is when someone eats a lot of food during the night, often after waking up from sleep.
Eating disorders are hard to deal with because we need food to live. Food gives us the energy we need to function. But cultural influences can make our relationship with food more complicated. In the next section, I’ll explain why.
Cultural Complications with Food
Here’s the tricky part: we need food to live. It fuels us, helping us function as adults. But culture complicates our relationship with food. Let’s be honest, no one with a healthy connection to food says, “I have no favorite foods. I just eat to survive.”
Like choosing a favorite lipstick, sports team, or political stance, we have a stance on the foods we like to eat. And it is usually a strong one. For example, we express our food preferences with phrases like:
“I crave salty and sweet.”
“Spicy with a kick is the best.”
But are those preferences really you? Or is cultural programming nudging you toward certain foods?
Eat Rice!
In Chinese, the word for eating, “chīfàn” or 食飯, literally means “eat rice” or “eat a meal.” Rice is woven into the culture. You’d be hard-pressed to find a Chinese person who doesn’t include rice in their diet.
Food is more than just sustenance; it’s a part of our identity. As Guy Fieri famously said, “Cooking is all about people. Food is maybe the only universal thing that really has the power to bring everyone together.” How true that is.
At an American baseball game, what’s usually served? Not filet mignon with braised carrots. Put down that fork and knife and grab some popcorn and a hot dog instead!
Depending on your age, where you live, and your gender, you’ve likely been bombarded with messages about what, when, and how often to eat. And if your culture has a twisted attitude toward food, it can take a serious effort to rewrite your image of what food means to you.
Why Food Addiction Matters
Now that you understand that food is more than just fuel, let’s talk about why food addiction is a big deal. If you’re a business owner or leader with an unhealthy relationship with food, the costs are high. And I’m not just talking about needing to constantly adjust your wardrobe because of fluctuating sizes.
The real cost is to your health, which can result in decreased productivity and even financial losses. Tackling food addiction is essential not just for your personal well-being but also for staying effective and reaching your business goals.
But maybe you’re not convinced. Maybe you think, “It’s not that bad!” Or you wonder how someone could develop a food addiction in the first place. In the next section, I’ll share a story about how childhood abuse, the pressures of fame, and insecurity can lead to food addiction.
How Childhood Abuse to Fame Created Food Addiction
I love watching documentaries about former child stars. I do this for a few reasons:
- As a reminder to myself why I’d never push my kid into fame.
- To understand the erratic and impulsive stories splashed across Page Six and TMZ.
- To better relate to the issues my clients face. You can’t help what you don’t understand.
After watching the 2024 documentary Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, I learned more than I ever wanted to about the kids who were once childhood heroes. It details the toxic behind-the-scenes world of children’s television from the 1990s to the 2000s, with a special focus on Dan Schneider’s time as a producer and showrunner at Nickelodeon.
The Creator
Two years before this documentary came out, in 2022, former Nickelodeon star Jennette McCurdy released her memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died, which graphically details how her mother nurtured her anorexia, which later turned into bulimia. She often refers to a menacing figure in her book as “the creator,” who is later revealed to be Dan Schneider. It’s a good read, and I recommend it.
In her book, McCurdy explains that food restriction started as a way to bond with her mother. Then, bulimia became an obsession, giving her a sense of control, power, and later, identity.
McCurdy has been candid about how her eating disorder affected her even in her acting career. “Ironically, my character’s trademark is that she loves food. I’d have scenes where I was supposed to be eating, and they’d have a spit bucket. But I’d be terrified that there would still be calories left in my body.” Thankfully now McCurdy is addressing her relationship with food that is healthy.
So how does someone, whether a former child star or not, develop a food addiction? Great question! I’m glad you asked. In the next section, let’s talk about the science behind food addiction.
The Science Behind Food Addiction
Just like many other mental illnesses, there are neurological reasons why someone might struggle with a food addiction. Let’s explore the specific reasons why.
The Brain and Food Cravings
Our brains are wired to seek out high-calorie foods because they provide quick energy. When we eat foods high in sugar, salt, and fats, our brains release chemicals like dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and reward. This dopamine release makes us feel good and reinforces the desire to eat these foods repeatedly. Over time, this can create a cycle of addiction where the brain craves these foods more intensely.
Dr. Rachel M. Calogero, a clinical psychologist specializing in eating disorders, notes that “food addiction shares many similarities with substance addiction. The brain’s reward system becomes hijacked, making it difficult for individuals to control their eating behaviors.” This insight helps explain why food addiction can be so hard to beat. Our brains are craving that we eat as a matter of survival. And each time we continue to engage more into the addiction, the stronger the attachment becomes.
A food addiction doesn’t develop overnight. Like everything else, it progresses over time. In the next section, let’s discuss how a food addiction develops.
4 Reasons Why Someone Develops a Food Addiction
I mentioned it at the beginning of this article, but let’s dive into the specific reasons someone might develop a food addiction. They are not ranked by significance or importance. Each person and their circumstances with a substance addiction are unique and personal matters. That being said, let’s dive into the possible reasons.
Reason #1: Eating Highly Processed Foods
Processed foods are engineered to be irresistible. They often contain high levels of sugar, salt, and fat, making them particularly addictive. For example, snacks like potato chips or sugary cereals are designed to be hard to stop eating once you start.
According to nutritionist Dr. Lisa Young, “Highly processed foods are engineered to be addictive. They often have a combination of sugar, salt, and fat that can trigger cravings and lead to overconsumption.”
Reason #2: Using Food to Escape Powerful Emotions
Have you ever turned to eating certain types of food when you feel happy, sad or anxious? Many people turn to food to cope with emotions like stress, sadness, or boredom. This can lead to a pattern of eating in response to emotions rather than physical hunger.
Reason #3: Genetics and Environment
Some people might be more prone to addiction due to their genetic makeup. If food addiction runs in your family, you might be at a higher risk. Additionally, if you grow up in an environment where unhealthy eating is common, it can influence your eating habits.
I’ve had many conversations with a client of mine whose mother is a descendant of a Holocaust survivor. The mother always told her to “keep eating.” If I had grown up in Poland, had to deal with food rations, and saw children die of starvation and malnutrition, yeah – I’d probably tell my kid to keep eating no matter what, too. As a consequence, both he and his mother now struggle with obesity.
Reason #4: Hormonal Changes
Hormones aren’t an excuse for getting extra spicy before or during your menstrual cycle—they can really mess with your relationship with food. When our hormones are all over the place for any number of reasons, our body feels stressed and doesn’t know how to handle it.
One hormone, cortisol, can increase hunger and cravings for comfort foods. These foods might give you a quick mood boost by raising serotonin levels in the brain, but that boost doesn’t last long. This often leads to a cycle of eating more and more, which can turn into an addiction.
Do you ever find yourself longing for something you see in others?
— Denise G. Lee (@DeniseGLee) August 16, 2024
Yesterday, someone asked me if I was trying to grow my hair out—if I was aiming for a "super fro."
I couldn’t help but laugh.
The truth is, trauma and addiction have taken a toll on my body in ways that make it…
The Impact of Food Addiction on Leaders and Business Owners
I mentioned earlier that the cost of food addiction is high. In the U.S., poor diet and physical inactivity contribute to about 678,000 deaths each year due to these poor nutrition or body weight. But let’s dive deeper into how it can hurt us.
1. Health and Productivity
Food addiction can lead to various health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. These health problems can seriously affect your ability to work effectively. For instance, obesity can lead to fatigue and low energy levels, making it hard to stay focused and productive. Diabetes and heart disease can also mean more frequent medical appointments and time off work.
2. Financial Costs
The costs of treating health problems caused by food addiction can be significant. Medical bills, potential loss of income due to illness, and lower productivity can add up quickly.
For example, if you’re frequently sick due to complications from food addiction, you may find yourself unable to work or forced to cut back on hours. Maybe you find yourself needing a new hip or knee due to weight. Perhaps you have tried $1,000 monthly shots of Ozempic or other treatments but haven’t seen the results you hoped for. This loss of income can be a serious financial strain, especially for business owners.
3. Mental Health Impact
Food addiction doesn’t just affect your physical health—it can also take a toll on your mental health. Guilt, shame, and anxiety often accompany food addiction, leading to a negative self-image and lower self-esteem. These feelings can impact your leadership abilities, making it harder to make decisions, manage stress, and maintain positive relationships with your team and clients.
I hope you understand by now why food addiction is problematic and not something to ignore. In the next section, let’s talk about how to manage a food addiction.
Strategies for Managing Food Addiction
Hippocrates: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Let your food serve your body. Don’t let become a slave to food. If you’re struggling with food addiction, know that help is available. Here are some strategies that can help you regain control:
1. Talk with a Pro
Working with a therapist or nutritionist who specializes in food addiction can provide you with the tools and support you need to make lasting changes. They can help you understand the root causes of your addiction and develop a personalized plan to address it.
2. Practice Mindful Eating
Mindful eating involves paying attention to your hunger cues, eating slowly, and savoring each bite. This practice can help you become more aware of your eating habits and reduce the likelihood of overeating.
3. Build a Support System
Surround yourself with people who support your goals and encourage healthy habits. This could include friends, family, or a support group for people with similar challenges.
4. Focus on Overall Wellness
Incorporating regular exercise, stress management techniques, and sufficient sleep into your routine can improve your overall health and reduce the urge to turn to food for comfort. Check out this earlier article for some specific wellness tips your food addiction.
Final Thoughts
Food addiction is a complex issue that can have serious implications for leaders and business owners. However, by understanding the science behind it and taking steps to address it, you can regain control over your eating habits and improve your health, productivity, and overall well-being. If you suspect you might be struggling with food addiction, talking with someone is taking the first step toward a healthier future.
Also, if you are under the care of a therapist or doctor for a food addiction but still need more support, don’t hesitate to contact me. Also, check my entrepreneur podcast where we dive deeper into topics about healthy self-care.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Don’t hesitate to send me a message if you found this article helpful. Remember, taking care of yourself is important for your success in and out of the office. Let’s work together to make positive changes and achieve your goals.
