U-M Obesity Expert Available to Comment On New Study Regarding the Addiction of Compulsive Eating

April 9, 2010 - PRLog -- “Food is the number one mood altering substance in this country today,” says University of Michigan Psychotherapist/Nutritionist, eating and weight disorders expert, and author of “The Hunger Within,” Marilyn Ann Migliore, MS, RD, ACSW, BCD. A new study from The Scripps Research Institute (“Nature Neuroscience,” March 28, 2010) validates this assertion by demonstrating that obesity coincides with a dysfunction of the reward system of the brain, which causes cravings for calorie-rich foods. The study goes on to state that the very same changes occur in the brains of drug addicts.

This new study may now shed light on the need for people to change the way they think about eating and offer insight for health professionals to combat our nation’s obesity epidemic. “Traditional modes of therapy have focused on treating the symptoms rather than the cause of addictive behavior,” explains Migliore. “That is the reason diets don’t work. We need to shift the focus away from food.”

As Marilyn describes in her book and as the study suggests, “For compulsive eaters, the problem is not lack of information about food or exercise. Food is not the issue. The issue is the repetitive nature of your compulsive behaviors, or what I call your ‘life script’ when it comes to the interplay of food and feelings.” According to Marilyn, “Addicts not only seek substitutes, but often swap one addictive behavior for another in a desperate attempt to fill the void. This inner sense of poverty effects brain chemistry and lies at the heart of all addictive behaviors.”

Over the past 30 years, Marilyn has helped thousands shed light on and examine their personal relationship with food - the missing link in the treatment of obesity - so they can finally put their lifelong struggle with food and weight to rest. Marilyn’s program, “The Hunger Within,” includes a self-help workbook, Companion Journal, Companion Audio-Book, and medically based Workshop that she conducts out of the University of Michigan Medical Center. The program is designed to uncover the mental and emotional “root-cause reasons” that fuel and drive compulsive eating behaviors.

Interviews with Marilyn may be arranged by contacting Shelly Cellak: (773) 398.6154 / shelly@burgeonagency.com

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About Marilyn Ann Migliore
MARILYN ANN MIGLIORE, MS, RD, ACSW, BCD, author of "The Hunger Within" and founder of "The Hunger Within" Workshop, is a Psychotherapist, Nutritionist, and Eating and Weight Disorders Specialist at the University of Michigan. As a registered dietitian and board-certified diplomat in clinical social work, Marilyn has been treating patients with a wide-range of eating and weight disorders for more than 30 years. She is highly respected for her ability to help people discover and resolve the mental and emotional “root-cause reasons” for their unhealthy relationship with food so they can enjoy long-lasting health and happiness.

The Hunger Within Workshop is a nationally recognized 12-week treatment program designed exclusively for compulsive eaters. The workshop was originally developed and conducted at St. Luke's-Roosevelt-A University Hospital of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. www.TheHungerWithin.com