Guest guest Posted May 8, 2004 Report Share Posted May 8, 2004 Monika, Thank you so much for bringing this issue up. I knew something bothered me about the article and could not put my finger on it. You have done a good job of articulating a problem that we need to consider when reading this particular article. I appreciate the articulation of your insight - it has been very helpful. Kathy J. Shattler, M.S.,RDNutri-Care Consulting Serviceskshattler@...http://www.nutri-care.info(989) 725-8603FAX: NOTICE: This confidential message/attachment contains information intended for a specific individual(s) and purpose. Any inappropriate use, distribution or copying is strictly prohibited. If received in error, notify the sender and immediately delete the message. "Addiction" study Jan,I am a bit troubled about the fact that this study is circulating throughnutrition circles with the title "addiction". Addicts were NOT studied inthis project, they were intentionally removed so normal brain function couldbe studied. This study is looking at what happens in NORMAL brains whentasty food is eaten.What is "wrong" with brain stimulation occurring when we eat something thattastes good? For that matter, what is wrong with eating food we likebecause it provides sensory pleasure? Just because the foods that werechosen may not be healthy as dietitians would define them does not mean adesire to eat them, or even enjoying them when they are eaten, is anaddictive process. Food tastes good for a lot of reasons, even it it isn't"healthy". The point of the study was that sensory responses and evenlike/dislike/desire reactions have biochemical and neurological bases whichmay explain why telling people NOT to eat a certain food is a self-defeatingrecommendation. You need to figure out how to rewire the brain tolike/desire other foods.Addictions trigger very specific parts of the brain that would need to beaddressed in a different study design.I challenge anyone discussing this article to be very careful about throwingthe word "addiction" into a discussion relating to food withoutunderstanding what it means in an emotional or physical sense. This kind ofmisinformation, especially with the Internet, has the potential to do moreharm than good.I think the study is fascinating, but we need to be careful not to make hugeleaps in logic that can backfire on our credibility in the future.Monika M. Woolsey, MS, RDhttp://www.afterthediet.comAfter the Diet Advanced Counseling Workshop VIIAnaheim, California, September 30-October 1, 2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2004 Report Share Posted May 8, 2004 One should also think about pointing this out to the authors and editor of the journal that published this study. -----Original Message-----From: Kathy Shattler, MS, RD Sent: Saturday, May 08, 2004 2:30 PMTo: rd-usa Subject: Re: "Addiction" study Monika, Thank you so much for bringing this issue up. I knew something bothered me about the article and could not put my finger on it. You have done a good job of articulating a problem that we need to consider when reading this particular article. I appreciate the articulation of your insight - it has been very helpful. Kathy J. Shattler, M.S.,RDNutri-Care Consulting Serviceskshattler@...http://www.nutri-care.info(989) 725-8603FAX: NOTICE: This confidential message/attachment contains information intended for a specific individual(s) and purpose. Any inappropriate use, distribution or copying is strictly prohibited. If received in error, notify the sender and immediately delete the message. "Addiction" study Jan,I am a bit troubled about the fact that this study is circulating throughnutrition circles with the title "addiction". Addicts were NOT studied inthis project, they were intentionally removed so normal brain function couldbe studied. This study is looking at what happens in NORMAL brains whentasty food is eaten.What is "wrong" with brain stimulation occurring when we eat something thattastes good? For that matter, what is wrong with eating food we likebecause it provides sensory pleasure? Just because the foods that werechosen may not be healthy as dietitians would define them does not mean adesire to eat them, or even enjoying them when they are eaten, is anaddictive process. Food tastes good for a lot of reasons, even it it isn't"healthy". The point of the study was that sensory responses and evenlike/dislike/desire reactions have biochemical and neurological bases whichmay explain why telling people NOT to eat a certain food is a self-defeatingrecommendation. You need to figure out how to rewire the brain tolike/desire other foods.Addictions trigger very specific parts of the brain that would need to beaddressed in a different study design.I challenge anyone discussing this article to be very careful about throwingthe word "addiction" into a discussion relating to food withoutunderstanding what it means in an emotional or physical sense. This kind ofmisinformation, especially with the Internet, has the potential to do moreharm than good.I think the study is fascinating, but we need to be careful not to make hugeleaps in logic that can backfire on our credibility in the future.Monika M. Woolsey, MS, RDhttp://www.afterthediet.comAfter the Diet Advanced Counseling Workshop VIIAnaheim, California, September 30-October 1, 2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2004 Report Share Posted May 8, 2004 Hi Monika, I fully agree. I used that title, because that's the title the media has given this study, and food addiction was the title of the initial posts on the topic for that reason. Jan I am a bit troubled about the fact that this study is circulating through nutrition circles with the title "addiction". Addicts were NOT studied in this project, they were intentionally removed so normal brain function could be studied. This study is looking at what happens in NORMAL brains when tasty food is eaten. What is "wrong" with brain stimulation occurring when we eat something that tastes good? For that matter, what is wrong with eating food we like because it provides sensory pleasure? Just because the foods that were chosen may not be healthy as dietitians would define them does not mean a desire to eat them, or even enjoying them when they are eaten, is an addictive process. Food tastes good for a lot of reasons, even it it isn't "healthy". The point of the study was that sensory responses and even like/dislike/desire reactions have biochemical and neurological bases which may explain why telling people NOT to eat a certain food is a self-defeating recommendation. You need to figure out how to rewire the brain to like/desire other foods. Addictions trigger very specific parts of the brain that would need to be addressed in a different study design. I challenge anyone discussing this article to be very careful about throwing the word "addiction" into a discussion relating to food without understanding what it means in an emotional or physical sense. This kind of misinformation, especially with the Internet, has the potential to do more harm than good. I think the study is fascinating, but we need to be careful not to make huge leaps in logic that can backfire on our credibility in the future. Monika M. Woolsey, MS, RD http://www.afterthediet.com After the Diet Advanced Counseling Workshop VII Anaheim, California, September 30-October 1, 2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2004 Report Share Posted May 8, 2004 Jan, Wasn't being critical of you, I have seen this appear on several other listserves and it has grown to be quite an assumption. I just cringe every time it shows up in my mailbox--I worked so hard in my ED book to describe neuroscience basics as they apply to nutrition, and it was a little bit discouraging to see this, after giving dietitians the tools they needed to accurately evaluate this kind of studies, completely miss the point. We are so capable of being the experts in this area with just a little bit of effort in learning neuroscience and endocrinology. We are also capable of looking foolish if we don't take the time to learn it and act as if we have. That's MY rant for the day! ;-) Monika Re: "Addiction" study Hi Monika,I fully agree. I used that title, because that's the title the media has given this study, and food addiction was the title of the initial posts on the topic for that reason. Jan I am a bit troubled about the fact that this study is circulating throughnutrition circles with the title "addiction". Addicts were NOT studied inthis project, they were intentionally removed so normal brain function couldbe studied. This study is looking at what happens in NORMAL brains whentasty food is eaten.What is "wrong" with brain stimulation occurring when we eat something thattastes good? For that matter, what is wrong with eating food we likebecause it provides sensory pleasure? Just because the foods that werechosen may not be healthy as dietitians would define them does not mean adesire to eat them, or even enjoying them when they are eaten, is anaddictive process. Food tastes good for a lot of reasons, even it it isn't"healthy". The point of the study was that sensory responses and evenlike/dislike/desire reactions have biochemical and neurological bases whichmay explain why telling people NOT to eat a certain food is a self-defeatingrecommendation. You need to figure out how to rewire the brain tolike/desire other foods.Addictions trigger very specific parts of the brain that would need to beaddressed in a different study design.I challenge anyone discussing this article to be very careful about throwingthe word "addiction" into a discussion relating to food withoutunderstanding what it means in an emotional or physical sense. This kind ofmisinformation, especially with the Internet, has the potential to do moreharm than good.I think the study is fascinating, but we need to be careful not to make hugeleaps in logic that can backfire on our credibility in the future.Monika M. Woolsey, MS, RDhttp://www.afterthediet.comAfter the Diet Advanced Counseling Workshop VIIAnaheim, California, September 30-October 1, 2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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