Obesity has become an epidemic in America. For too long food addicts have suffered with their shame in society's shadows. Being labeled as simply undisciplined, they live their lives fighting the obsession they have with food. Every day is a struggle not to succumb to your basic instincts. Society can show compassion and sympathy towards those who drink to excess, take drugs to the point of losing their lives, and even towards those who cannot force themselves to eat enough to sustain a normal life. Yet food addicts and the obese receive contempt and disgust. Overeating to the point of extreme obesity is more than just overindulgence, there is a psychological flaw that allows them to eat beyond the pale of reason. There is a misfire within that allows them to defy normal self-preservation instincts. Just as an alcoholic can't help it, nor can anyone who eats a big mac in the dark parking lot before returning home to face the family with a smile. Obesity is a real eating disorder. Although it is not widely accepted as a true eating disorder, awareness and understanding of obesity is growing in society. There are ongoing studies showing that there are many factors that could contribute to obesity. BED, Binge Eating Disorder, is a factor that is attributed to extreme obesity, a study conducted by JI Hudson and colleagues working with McLean Hospital, shows that there is a familial link with the prevalence of BED which often results in conditions extreme obesity. Although more research is needed, the biotechnology article McLean Hospital, Belmont; Binge-eating disorder is a distinct familial phenotype in obese individuals, say researchers concluded “Binge-eating disorder is a familial disorder caused in part by the facts… middle of the paper… you left the umbrella.” We need to stop playing the blame game, stop playing the shame game, and start treating obesity like the eating disorder that it is. We need comprehensive treatment programs that work on both physical and emotional issues we need insurance companies to recognize the need for treatment facilities and ongoing follow-up care. We must reward those who come forward to help themselves overcome the crisis, instead of giving them the exhaustive look for "another diet", they will surely drop out due to their lack. Until we give obesity the compassion and attention that is medically recognized as a valid and serious eating disorder, society will continue to treat the obese as second-class citizens and we will continue to suffer the negative effects of that disorder. . ever-expanding waistlines of the American population.