Right, partly I'm referring to psychological addiction.  I think character flaw is somewhat of a synonym.  A matter of terminology. But I do think that sugar in particular probably is somewhat physically addicting, in that you will actually go through some physical withdrawal if you reduce your intake significantly. Anyways my point is that, just like addicts, the "problem behavior" has to be gradually phased out in favor of "normal/healthy behavior".  It's necessary to get out of the instant-gratification / dopamine-driven psychological mode.  Just like drug addicts have to relearn what normal life is (gratification from ordinary stimuli like relationships, activity, nature, etc), fatties have to relearn how to be happy without mainlining 24 cupcakes every day.  Part of that means incorporating real food. There is also the physical reality that if they have been very obese for a long time, they have probably done some serious damage that might require special dietary considerations (the beetus is an obvious example). Calling something an addiction isn't excusing it. I love this sub, and I enjoy venting about fats as much as the next person here.  But once in a while I think it's instructive to think about how seriously they've destroyed their health, and the complexities involved in trying to recover it.  Just like any self-destructive behavior, it will take you about as long to heal as it took for you to dig yourself into the pit you're in. Fats have literally destroyed their lives.  I don't think people appreciate how the body never truly recovers from period where you so brutally abused it.