http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22336753



I found this article really interesting as this is an area I have been studying for some time.
I am currently running a pilot Food Addiction & Support Therapy group in Burnley in Lancashire.
Evidence suggests that the brain has biological responses to Food most specifically Fat and Sugar.
90% of people who embark on diets quit. Diets do not work, they only result
in relapse with guilt and disappointment and a further damaging
relationship with food such as starvation or bingeing. If dieting was easy or
if they worked the country wouldn't have an obesity epidemic.
By treating relationships with food similarly to other addictions will have equally positive outcomes.
BBC Radio 4 aired last week highlighting a study in US where obese patients where trialing typical heroin addiction drugs such as Naltrexone which block the feel good /reward system receptors in the brain. 
I feel this could work for emotional eaters who use food to make themselves feel better.

Food Addiction & Support Therapy includes group Motivational Counselling, Addiction awareness, How the brain reacts to Sugar and Fat, CBT Node Link mapping and nutrition.
Auricular Acupuncture & Acu-Stim (no needles) is used to promote a healthy digestive system and reduce Food cravings.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s4g7v

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p018drny

Firstly I would like to thank @pinkelastik and @myarchedeyebrow for sharing. This seems to be a topic which is not taken very seriously. Size discrimination often goes unchallenged. Society and the media portray overweight people as lazy and costing the NHS millions of pounds and people can get quite passionate about the fact that overweight people should just stop over eating or stop being lazy and get to the gym. They don't seem to consider the effects of this negative portrayal on the people who are overweight and can be made to feel that they are 'wrong' or 'lazy' or 'worthless' often leading to social isolation as described by Karina Marshall.This is the only reason I have set up Biggerfun providing fun activities in an inclusive environment.


 I caught an interesting discussion briefly on the radio tonight about studies taking place around food addiction and whether the brain has biochemical responses to food similar to that of drug addiction and whether drug treatment such as Naltrexone or Naloxone should be prescribed to people with eating disorders. 
I read some time ago "Hamburgers and French fries could be as addictive as heroin, scientists haveclaimed.
Researchers in the United States have found evidence to suggest people can
become overly dependent on the sugar and fat in fast food. The
controversial findings add weight to claims that over-eating is simply down
to a lack of self-control.

It may also explain soaring rates of obesity in the western world.
Dr John Hoebel and colleagues at Princeton University in New Jersey based
their theory on a study of rats. They found that rats fed a diet containing
25% sugar are thrown into a state of anxiety when the sugar is removed.
Their symptoms included chattering teeth and the shakes - similar to those
seen in people withdrawing from nicotine or morphine, according to
researchers.
Dr Hoebel said he believed high-fat foods stimulate opioids or 'pleasure
chemicals' in the brain. "The implication is that some animals - and by
extension some people - can become overly dependent on sweet food," he
said.
Further studies published in New Scientist magazine back up this theory.

Ann Kelley, a neuroscientist at the University of Wisconsin Medical School,
the behaviour of rats after the were given sweet, salty and fatty foods. She
found a link between the brain's pleasure chemicals and a craving for this
type of food. " and I am aware of how my body and brain reacts to sugar and fast food. I also agree that food addiction can be treated similarly to drug addiction counselling which i an area that I have worked for many years and this is why I am passionate about developing Biggerfun Dance Plus which allows for detox acupuncture using points in the ear to combat cravings, also using evidence based psychological interventions such as Motivational Mapping.

I am currently in the process of setting up new dance classes around the lancashire area. 
Blackburn Beechwood WMC in Little Harwood Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm
Burnley Howard Street Health Centre Thursday 2-3 and 3-4
Gregson Lane Community Centre 1:30-2:30 on Wednesdays

There are so many positive things about being the founder of Biggerfun. I am always absolutely amazed by the wonderful people I meet and I am looking forward to meeting lots more people, so come along to a class and say hi.

New self employment opportunities being rolled out nationally.
Following the success of our Biggerfun Dance Classes we have decided to roll out unique training opportunities for you to start your own business.

We at Biggerfun. co uk are looking for a special kind of person. 
We want to hear from you if you have weight issues but have an outgoing bubbly personality.
You do not need previous experience but a genuine passion for working with other people. 
Must be non judgmental and must be able to empathise with people with weight issues. 

This role whilst promoting dance for fitness it is predominantly about fun and inclusion. 

Be part of something great today 

If you want to earn an extra income or work for yourself you can apply to become a biggerfun instructor. Great earning potential. Run as little or as many classes in your area as you like. 

if you are interested we want to hear from you. 

Full training and assessment and all the tools you need to start your own business 

Visit our site today WWW.BIGGERFUN.CO.UK

Dont put your life on hold because you have put on weight, dont put your life on hold until you lose weight. Join our classes and meet like minded people and have fun!