| Several different theories about food addiction | | | | supermarkets in other locations. |
| are being considered by the scientific community. | | | | The professors determined that the low prices of |
| Most of us have heard of the "thrifty gene" | | | | foods high in simple sugars has led to the |
| theory. This theory suggests that people who | | | | over-consumption of these harmful foods in all |
| have this gene will eat more calories today as an | | | | populations, but that non-native people as a group |
| instinctive response to the possibility of famine | | | | consume these cheaper foods in lower quantities |
| tomorrow. | | | | than do the members of the Pima tribe as a |
| Another theory suggests that overeating fats and | | | | whole. The study did not look at the shopping |
| simple sugars is a "rational addiction," because the | | | | behavior of individuals. |
| cost of withdrawal is higher than the cost of | | | | This may mean that both the "thrifty gene" |
| maintaining the habit of overeating. The costs | | | | theory and the economic "rational addiction" |
| could include the physical symptoms of withdrawal | | | | theory are correct, and not mutually exclusive. It |
| from addictive foods, the costs of weight loss | | | | is true that foods made from white flour and |
| treatment, and the possible higher cost of buying | | | | sugar tend to be less expensive (per calorie) than |
| more nutritious meals. | | | | higher quality foods containing protein and whole |
| The decisions made by government agencies and | | | | grains. The easy availability of poor-quality foods, |
| individual counselors depend on which of these | | | | along with high-fat fast food, has had a striking |
| theories they accept. | | | | consequence for all Western nations. |
| If the rational addiction theory is held to be true, | | | | Some people do choose to avoid these fattening |
| laws might be passed to reduce the cost of highly | | | | foods and eat healthy veggies and low-fat meats |
| nutritious vegetables and proteins, which are low | | | | instead, which lends weight to the thrifty gene |
| in calories, and increase the cost of low-quality | | | | theory. However, income does play a part. |
| foods such as sugar and high-fat snacks, perhaps | | | | According to the U.S. Department of Health and |
| with new taxes. The financial costs of weight loss | | | | Human services, "women of lower socioeconomic |
| programs and medications could be lowered with | | | | status are approximately 50% more likely to be |
| subsidies. Health agencies might create educational | | | | obese than those of higher socioeconomic status." |
| and counseling programs to help obese clients | | | | This statistic includes all racial and ethnic groups. |
| make better, less irrational choices when they | | | | The incidence of type-2 diabetes, hypertension |
| shop. | | | | and heart disease is going up for all Western |
| On the other hand, if there really is a "thrifty | | | | populations and the long-term effects of this |
| gene" that causes food addiction, scientists would | | | | illness are devastating both to the individual and |
| look for ways to "turn off the gene" through new | | | | society. In the general population, approximately |
| medications or gene therapy. Counseling would | | | | one-third of American adults are overweight, and |
| consist of helping people recognize their natural | | | | a third of these are obese. The occurrence of |
| tendencies, and help them create an environment | | | | obesity in the general population has almost |
| in which more rational eating choices would be | | | | doubled since 1960, and is quickly catching up to |
| easier to make. Perhaps governments would | | | | the high rates of obesity and diabetes among the |
| regulate the creation and sale of high-fat, sugary | | | | well-studied Pimas. |
| foods as if they were an environmental hazard. | | | | Because it is estimated that obesity is related to |
| To determine which of these theories can be | | | | a 10 to 50% increased risk of death from all |
| used to explain the very high incidence of obesity | | | | causes, and the cost of chronic diseases |
| and type-2 diabetes among the Pima Indians in | | | | associated with obesity are creating a drain on |
| the American Southwest, two professors from | | | | the national treasury, it is particularly important to |
| Arizona State University looked at the shopping | | | | find a workable theory about food addiction. |
| activity at several Arizona supermarkets. The | | | | Perhaps if we gain a better understanding of why |
| study compared the shopping choices at stores | | | | people overeat, in spite of obvious consequences, |
| near the Pima community, which has an | | | | scientists will be able to find a cure for the |
| astounding diabetes rate of almost 50%, with | | | | international problem of obesity. |
| those made by the general population at | | | | |