@YARNLADY I am aware of this. I am also aware of a great many things that have to do with mental health and addiction. There are many, many things that eating excessively or poorly, even in those who do not consider themselves addicted, has in common with addiction. The soothing effect of food for many people beyond the norm (stress eating, comfort eating) and the cravings for certain things are the main aspects that this has in common with addiction. Food, for all of us, has a psychological effect. If you were to look at a number of people’s eating habits in the same way you looked at smoking habits or anything else, it would be clear that food was a problem that could be called “addiction.” Many people will never own up to it or be treated for it, but there are far more people than you think out there who could be considered addicted to food.
My last comment, however, was about physical dependence. We are all physically dependent on food, some of us are physically/psychologically dependent on certain types of food. It is not simple conditioning for many people, if you really look at it.