Food is the Frenemy

Sophia Ayala Gettys

Sophia Ayala Gettys, who has appeared on the Food Network’s Worst Cooks series, is a self-identified food addict, who talks about how food had brought her family together, and had always provided happiness and comfort on demand. It had also made Gettys an emotional overeater and an obese teenager. Only recently has she negotiated a “completely revamped relationship” with food, and managed to shed 50 pounds in a way that promises to be sustainable. Gettys says,

In the past, food has been like a backstabbing best friend.

Addicts of every variety have been known to think of their fix as a friend, sometimes their only friend. People who quit smoking cigarettes have compared the degree of bereavement to losing a family member. Beth Aldrich, an Integrative Health and Nutrition Counselor, speaks of growing up with food as “ally, enemy, nurturer, energizer, friend.”

In Dr. Pretlow’s presentation, “What’s Really Causing the Childhood Obesity Epidemic? What Kids Say,” Slide 24 quotes a 12-year-old who says, “Food listens to our problems. It’s like a therapist.”

A writer called Ann decided in November of 2009 to go from 212 pounds to 140, and is halfway there. Her blog brings us along on her journey, and she expresses the same idea in different words:

Food doesn’t expect you to like it, nor does it ask you to do things. Food has no expectations or judgment. Food doesn’t care if you are Catholic or Jewish. It’s just there. It is in fact the ultimate companion. But like any companion, some are good and some are not. You have to choose who your friends are.

The extreme example of this kind of friend-food thinking is the facetious list of “Reasons Why Food is Better Than Sex,” which everybody has probably received at least once via email.

In Overweight: What Kids Say, Dr. Pretlow identifies several kinds of vicious circles, and “food as friend” can easily become one of these exercises in futility. Once that food friendship gains momentum, an obese child can become more alone and isolated. There, of course, is the perfect excuse for an even closer relationship with food, even when it begins to show its true colors as an enemy that causes great discomfort and ill health. Dr. Pretlow recommends plenty of social activities for kids, so the bonding with food doesn’t have the chance to get a foothold.

Among the many quotations from young people in Dr. Pretlow’s book there is one from a 15-year-old who talks about going on a “food is my friend binge.” Also, a 19-year old says, “I just hate food now. I mean, I love it, but I hate it too, you know?” And that’s the very definition of a frenemy.

Your responses and feedback are welcome!

Source: “The Unlikely Marathon Momma and Bad Cook Reformed!,” HybridMom.com, 04/28/10
Source: “Real Moms Love to Eat,” LoseWeight.com, 04/23/10
Source: “What’s Really Causing the Childhood Obesity Epidemic? What Kids Say,” Weigh2Rock
Source: “Living an authentic life is the ultimate achievement for a human being,” She Woke Up Fat, 04/28/10
Image of Sophia Ayala Gettys, used under Fair Use: Reporting.

0 Responses

  1. Hi Pat,

    I saw the article… it was intense to read it. Seeing “self identified food addict” in red was kind of alarming at first… but I did use those words and it is who I am. I am very passionate about health and fitness… no matter what the scale says it’s about not letting weight hold you back from doing things you love. I’m still over 200 lbs, and have completed a half marathon and on Nov 7th will complete a full marathon. The ING NYC Marathon. I’m running with the charity Team for Kids. It’s an organization that promotes health and fitness to kids who might not have the opportunity to play sports or learn about nutrition with out them. They serve low income kids across the nation and even in to Africa. I’m really behind in my fundraising right now… I need to raise 2620.00 by Oct 8th! It’s coming fast and would be thrilled if you would be so kind as to donate to my cause. It seems you are as passionate about this topic as I am, and it would be helping the children you are talking so passionately about in this blog.

    You can contact me @ Sophiaayalagettys@gmail.com or donate directly to my charity:
    http://www.runwithtfk.org/Member/PublicPage/699

    1. Hi Sophia,
      Sorry about the red ink! That’s what the blog template does with links, no choice there.
      It’s wonderful to hear what you are doing, and you deserve lots of support!
      Pat

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Profiles: Kids Struggling with Weight

Profiles: Kids Struggling with Obesity top bottom

The Book

OVERWEIGHT: What Kids Say explores the obesity problem from the often-overlooked perspective of children struggling with being overweight.

About Dr. Robert A. Pretlow

Dr. Robert A. Pretlow is a pediatrician and childhood obesity specialist. He has been researching and spreading awareness on the childhood obesity epidemic in the US for more than a decade.
You can contact Dr. Pretlow at:

Presentations

Dr. Pretlow’s invited presentation at the American Society of Animal Science 2020 Conference
What’s Causing Obesity in Companion Animals and What Can We Do About It

Dr. Pretlow’s invited presentation at the World Obesity Federation 2019 Conference:
Food/Eating Addiction and the Displacement Mechanism

Dr. Pretlow’s Multi-Center Clinical Trial Kick-off Speech 2018:
Obesity: Tackling the Root Cause

Dr. Pretlow’s 2017 Workshop on
Treatment of Obesity Using the Addiction Model

Dr. Pretlow’s invited presentation for
TEC and UNC 2016

Dr. Pretlow’s invited presentation at the 2015 Obesity Summit in London, UK.

Dr. Pretlow’s invited keynote at the 2014 European Childhood Obesity Group Congress in Salzburg, Austria.

Dr. Pretlow’s presentation at the 2013 European Congress on Obesity in Liverpool, UK.

Dr. Pretlow’s presentation at the 2011 International Conference on Childhood Obesity in Lisbon, Portugal.

Dr. Pretlow’s presentation at the 2010 Uniting Against Childhood Obesity Conference in Houston, TX.

Food & Health Resources