The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released an article in which they indicated an estimated 42 percent of Americans will be obese by the year 2030. That’s an astounding percentage! The ever popular Dr. Oz believes that food can be just as addictive as alcohol or drugs. Statistics show we spend more on health care than any other developed nation, yet our country has among the highest rates of preventable diseases. I believe this is a result of the foods that we eat and the choices we make in our own health. What does this say about our eating habits in the US? To me it sounds like food is a large issue for many of us. Here are a few questions to ask yourself to see if you struggle in this area of food. If you answered “yes” to several of these, it may indicate issues with food in your own life:

1. Talking about food or seeing food makes me want to indulge.

2. I use food to comfort me.

3. I am thinking about food quite often throughout the day.

4. When I’m sad, stressed, depressed/down, tired or angry, I eat. I have tried so many diets and they never work for me.

5. I think food has power over me, quite often and feel powerless to do anything about it.

6. I love sugary and carbohydrate laden foods.

7. I get a lot of pleasure from consuming food. Eating makes me happy/cheers me up and I sometimes reward myself with

food.

8. I can easily salivate over my favorite food item(s).

9. I work out/exercise sometimes, but sometimes lack the internal discipline to keep with it.

10. I have used diuretics, laxatives or vomiting to avoid weight gain.

11. I eat many times in secret, so people don’t see how much I actually consume.

12. The emptiness inside me remains, even after I’ve filled up on the foods I love.

13. I am unable to keep my weight within a reasonable range.

14. When my life or the lives of others around me are out of control, I tend to eat more.

15. I lack self-control when it comes to food.

16. I overeat and then feel guilty when I over-indulge.

17. I cover up my feelings through food.

18. I have a distorted body image problem.

19. My weight is affecting my life, and the lives of those around me.

20. I have various related/unrelated health issues.

Being overweight and having issues with food is uncomfortable, unhealthy, and can be fatal. The good news is there is a way to overcome this viscious cycle of overeating to fulfill an emotional need. We can find hope in our lives and discover how to manage our eating in a healthy way. We can learn how to “eat to live, instead of living to eat.”

Many of us have found healing and help through the program of Celebrate Recovery. We’ve discovered that being accountable to another person is biblical and is helpful in achieving healthy goals for our new lifestyle choices. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12.

We gain freedom from this addiction or obsession with food! If you or someone you know struggles with food issues, then join us on Monday nights at 7 p.m. We meet at The Journey, 4191 Plainview Hwy (across from Plain View Elementary School) Dunn. Or call 910-379-4033 for more information.