Is addiction to sugar the main cause of obesity?

I just came accross a research study where scientists have found that ingesting sugar affects a person's brain the same way ingesting Cocaine does.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn10...

A sweet taste is something everyone enjoys. And I wonder if the obese people are simply food addicts who cannot stop eating pleasing foods the way drug addicts cannot stop taking pleasing drugs?

Perhaps there are other parallels between drugs and foods.

People in the Andes of South America chew natural cocca leafs without much addiction or ill effects. But when people purify and concentrate cocaine into white powder, then it becomes highly addictive and deadly.

Could it be the same story with sugar in the food? Sugar is good and healthy within natural fruits and vegetables. But when you purify and concentrate it, then it becomes highly addictive and deadly too?

Is sugar an unrecognized addictive drug?

I absolutely believe there can be food addictions, often people use food to placate themselves or eat when they are bored etc... but I think, especially in America the biggest cause of obesity is lack of knowledge.

Our portions here are huge, we eat way too many overly processed pre-packaged meals (often laden with fat and something worse than sugar "high fructose corn syrup". Also don't get me started on fast food and the complete and utter lack of nutrients within so many calories.

Most doctors here let alone lay people know very little about nutrition and the importance of getting proper nutrients and the dangers of too many food additives.

Our foods are so saturated in excess garbage in this society and most people are unaware of what they are truly eating.

Also our dairy cows tend to be injected with hormones and antibiotics and other garbage which in turn goes down to the people drinking the milk. If its designed to "fatten up" a dairy cow, its not a real shock that it does the same to us.

Also many obese people are malnourished, I know that sounds counter-intuitive but its true. When we feed the body garbage and it doesnt get the nutrients it needs, it triggers hunger and thus a viscious cycle of overeating the same incorrect foods takes hold.

I do believe sugar can act as a drug. I love a good piece of chocolate now and then for the same reason, however I don't think that in and of itself is the cause of the obesity problem. It certainly does contribute though and is an excellent point. Source(s): work in nutrition

Don't know about addition to sugar but it sure doesn't help with weight watching. However, it can lead to diabetes, which in turn can lead to more complications. Moderate your sugar intake!
No, in fact sugar is just empty calories The thing that causes people to be fat is Fat and a sedentary lifestyle. Not just animal fat but vegetable fat too. Cut fat out of your diet and ddon't sit in front of your computer/television all day, get out, shake it all about, go to the gym -get active! Remember a fit and active body doesn't need to worry about how much it eats, get out and walk to the shops rather than driving round the corner. This also makes for a cleaner enviroment.