User:Chen s/bagrut project

=Food Addiction= Is Food Addiction Is a diseas or a habbit?

Introduction :

In the next pages you will know much better about food addiction. (what I mean is unhealthy food addiction). This project talks about the causes of the addiction; who is an addict and what the result of the addiction is. I chose this subject because a lot of people are food addicts without knowing it, and because we know a lot of people who are addicts. Therefore, I would like to know the reasons which lead to this problem in order to help myself, my friends and the people whom I love.

Research process and the findings :

Food Addiction: Food addiction is a disease characterized by obsession with weight and body image. Food addiction is similar to drug and alcohol addiction. Very often for a food addict, refined sugar, flour and fats become what alcohol is to the alcoholic, or cocaine to the cocaine addict. When eating food in this group, the addict sets the phenomenon or "craving" into motion. Like the drug addict, the food addict experiences withdrawal when attempting to cut down on foods that trigger cravings. They can experience both physical and emotional withdrawal such as tremors, cramps, depression, teary periods and self-hatred which leads to self-abuse. Food addiction is a contemporary term used to describe a pathological disorder; the compulsive, excessive craving for and consumption of food. This condition is not only manifested by the abnormal intake of food, but the intake and craving for foods that are, in themselves, in harmful to the individual. While society and the medical profession have readily understood alcoholism and drug ause, it is only in recent years that there is an equal acceptance of the fact that persons may be addicted to food in that same way. When any substance is taken into the body regardless of its potential for harm or in excess of need, that substance is said to be abused. Individuals who abuse substances in such a way are addicts; these persons become physiologically and mentally dependent upon certain substances, in this case food. Food addiction, as with any other addiction, is a loss of control. The individual understands that their way of eating is harmful, but continues the destructive behavior. The phenomenon of food addiction is both physiological and psychological. Food addicts come equally from all age, race, and gender groups. They are overweight, underweight, and some of normal weight. They are linked by their obsession with food. The obese individual suffers humiliation due to excess weight; they may be lethargic and sedentary unable to move around freely. The underweight person may be bulimic; though they eat obsessively, they are so afraid of becoming overweight that they will induce vomiting, take laxatives, or exercise compulsively to prevent weight gain. They may also alternate with periods of anorexia, reframing from food to control their weight. The person of normal weight while appearing normal may be obsessed with food, constantly thinking about what to eat or how much they weight. The entire subject of food is a misery to them; they count calories compulsively, eating without enjoyment. Many individuals have what may be termed "food allergies". These are trigger foods which when ingested cause negative symptoms and changes in the body but at the same time provoke cravings. The individual, for instance, the diabetic,make be made"sick" by the intake of sugar, but will still continue to crave it and eat it in excess, with adverse effects. Studies are also continuing regarding certain proteins in milk and wheat which when ingested produce narcotic-like effects.These chemicals mimic the body's natural painkillers, endorphins, and have those been termed "exorphins". individuals may be suffering from depression, low self esteem or loneliness; they will find a high when ingesting large quantities of food or certain foods such as salt or chocolate. The immediate high gives way to a sick feeling or guilt, leading to more depression. Because the addict is out of control, he or she will turn once again to the same eating patterns in a conscious or unconscious effort to feel better. Food addiction is serious condition with many adverse health consequences. Obesity, psychological disorders, diabetes, and gastric anomalies are just a few. The first step to recovery is, of course, the realization and acceptance of the problem. Medically, individuals must identity which foods--the trigger foods-- cause allergic symptoms and craving.

OBSESSION

Obsessed by a remembered sense of pleasure and or/comfort with food.

LACK OF SELF-CONTROL

Repeated use of this food can create a profound with pleasure and comfort.

PREOCCUPATION

Preoccupied with finding sources of food associated with pleasure and comfort.

COMPULSION

Eating results in a cycle of binging in spite of the intellectual judgment of the individual or negative consequences.

CRAVING

This is the litmus test for addiction. Even though the person's restraint, the need to eat (use food) creates a physical craving which negates the power to make this decision.

types of food addiction:

Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by intense fear of gaining weight. Behavior includes excessive weighing, excessive measuring of body parts, and persistently using a mirror to check body size. Self-esteem is dependent upon body shape and weight. Weight loss is viewed as an impressive achievement and an example of extraordinary self discipline. Physical implications may include disruption of the menstrual cycle, signs of starvation, thinning of hair or hair loss, bloated feeling, yellowish palms/soles of feet, dry, pasty skin.

Bulimia Nervosa is described as binge eating and compensatory behavior to prevent weight gain. Individuals become ashamed of their eating behavior and attempt to conceal symptoms through rapid consumption of food. They will eat until painfully full and stop if intruded upon. 80-90% of bulimics will induce vomiting. Other behaviors include, misuse of laxatives, fasting and excessive exercise. Physical implications include, loss of dental enamel, increase of cavities, swollen saliva glands, calluses, scars on hands, irregular menstrual cycle, dependency on laxatives for bowel movements, fluid and electrolyte disturbance.

Conclusion : I realized that food addiction is like any other addiction. It causes a lot of health problems, such as cancer, heart attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes and may even lead to death in an early age. The number of the addicted is growing up every year in tens percent. Here in the 21st century are florescent-lit aisles of cans, boxes and bags, set out by a corrupt food industry, a provider driven by greed for money, ruthlessly using addiction for profit. Fat, sugar , salt, and additives are the tools of the trade. Bodies riddled with cancer and heart disease are of minor concern.

Feedback: Personal comments on how the research went

Did you enjoy working on the project ? I enjoyed it very much. Did you enjoy working in groups? I worked alone. Which part did you enjoy the most? Most of all, I enjoyed the research part. Which part would you change? I wouldn't change any part. Which part was the easiest? why? The introduction part was easier for me to understand. Which part was the most difficult ? why? The research part, because it was more complicated. What do you think you improved? writing and vocabulary. Any other comment: I am very glad that I have learned the subject