Food Addiction is Not Your Fault, Yet It Is Your Responsibility to Recover When You Know

Dr. Adrian Soto-Mota brings a unique blend of expertise as a practicing clinician, data specialist, researcher, and educator at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the largest university in Latin America. The Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) (https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/fastlab/yale-food-addiction-scale/) is the most widely used food addiction screening tool worldwide. Dr. Soto-Mota utilized another food addiction screening technique, CRAVED (https://the-chc.org/assets/uploads/CRAVED%20Introduction%20and%20Notes%20for%20the%20User_Update_240506.pdf), a shorter yet effective screening method, in his research. His study distinguishes between binge-eating disorder and food addiction, highlighting key differences. While binge-eating disorder is recognized in the American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic manual, food addiction as a substance use disorder is not—an important distinction.  Having experienced childhood obesity himself, Dr. Soto-Mota understands the personal impact of food addiction and is deeply committed to addressing the ongoing childhood obesity crisis in Mexico. In May 2024, he participated in the IFACC conference in London, where he signed a groundbreaking Consensus Statement (https://heyzine.com/flip-book/a00ee3aa6c.html). This agreement, developed by 40 experts over many months, recognizes ultra-processed food addiction as a substance use disorder. The next IFACC London Conference is set for 2025: IFACC London Conference 2025 (https://the-chc.org/fas/conference), Dr. Soto-Mota emphasizes that while food addiction is not our fault, we have a personal responsibility to acknowledge it and take steps toward recovery to live healthier, fuller lives. Tune in to this insightful episode.