Erica LaFata, Ph.D.

Assistant Research Professor, @DUWellCenter at Drexel University. Conducting research on ultra-processed food addiction.

[Carlos A. Monteiro @CMonteiro_USP]

A first-of-its-kind lawsuit against 11 UPF industries alleging they engineer their UPF products to be addictive with details on the actions taken to target children including internal memos, meetings & the research conducted to create addictive substances.
https://t.co/oT3EcfNbGq

[Infact School @TheINFACTschool]

New episode alert! In Episode 29 of the Food Addiction Podcast, we explore how engineered "foods" are contributing to the obesity crisis and addiction, with expert insights from Dr. Nicole Avena and Dr. Erica LaFata.

https://t.co/1lWDQdH5cN

[Infact School @TheINFACTschool]

Join Dr. LaFata and Dr. Avena as they dive into the truth about obesity and food addiction. Although addiction is often stigmatized, research shows that highly processed foods can hijack our brains, leading to this condition.

🔗 https://t.co/xVx0s5E1Oo

[Infact School @TheINFACTschool]

🎙️ Join Dr. LaFata and Dr. Avena in the latest episode of The Food Addiction Podcast-.

Dr. Avena breaks down how our bodies don’t need sugar to function and the powerful benefits of cutting back on added sugars. 🍬🚫

🔗 https://t.co/ei3eGpYFcC

[Dr David Unwin @lowcarbGP]

From Dr Erica LaFata ‘DOUBT IS OUR PRODUCT’ first used by Big Tobacco now ultra processed food proponents are possibly doing something similar ??

[Barry C Smith @smithbarryc]

Great talk and fascinating work by Dr Erica La Fata at IFAC on the addiction-like triggering properties of ultra-processed food. She also tells us about the deny, denounce, delay tactics of the food industry

[Erica LaFata, Ph.D. @drericalafata]

It’s an honor to be among the experts featured at the first International Food Addiction Consensus Conference. Looking forward to the collaborative initiatives that follow from this meeting!

[Erica LaFata, Ph.D. @drericalafata]

Opportunities are available to get involved with my lab and the @DUWellCenter as an undergraduate research assistant!

https://t.co/ZNkL35Y6X7

[Erica LaFata, Ph.D. @drericalafata]

I'm looking for at least 2 undergraduate research assistants in the Philly area! https://t.co/ZNkL35Y6X7

[Anthony Lobo @GreenZebraNutr]

Insightful #FoodAddictionAware webinar.

Key takeaway: The foods most associated with 'addiction' are all highly processed foods often with added amounts of fat and/or refined carbohydrates.

@ProfTBurrows @ProfCCollins @CharlotteHardm3 @VerdejoGAntonio @ericamschulte

[Erica LaFata, Ph.D. @drericalafata]

In the past 5 years, the conversation has evolved from "ultraprocessed foods don't directly contribute to overeating" to "how do we define these foods in order to study their role further." Very exciting for the future of obesity and food addiction research.

[LeeAnn Kindness, MS, NDTR @LeeAnnKindness]

Watching the convo on #ultraprocessedfood unfold at #Nutrition2019 was critical. Respected professionals in research, academia, and industry are having a different convo than media. @KevinH_PhD uncovered many more questions. Rightfully so. Important read https://t.co/keCKXOQVqE

[Erica LaFata, Ph.D. @drericalafata]

@KevinH_PhD @sciencemagazine This line of research is incredibly important for determining the direct role these foods may play in driving overeating and obesity. Congrats!

[Erica LaFata, Ph.D. @drericalafata]

Demonstrating the direct contribution that highly processed foods have in driving overeating is essential for public policy change and improved interventions- great new study!

[BBC Health News @bbchealth]

Ultra-processed foods 'make you eat more' https://t.co/IW4czdrNJV

[Erica LaFata, Ph.D. @drericalafata]

Impactful new study demonstrating the efficacy of a #sodatax in Philly- very consistent with the public policy initiatives that could be helpful for #foodaddiction.

[Christina A. Roberto @RobertoCA]

Our new study in @JAMA_current shows Philly’s sweetened beverage tax (#sodatax) leads to 38% drop in sales of sugar- and artificially sweetened beverages. That's great news for public health. https://t.co/TAp1TW9ILb

[UConn Rudd Center @UConnRuddCenter]

London recently imposed a ban on junk food advertising on its underground transport, rail, tram, & bus services. Health experts now call for local authorities to have more power to follow suit on advertising near parks & nurseries for consistent messaging.
https://t.co/GHSCkU9FdJ

[Erica LaFata, Ph.D. @drericalafata]

This article provides interesting insights from an evolutionary perspective into differences in cognitive functioning as a result of intermittent fasting versus chronic overeating: https://t.co/d95DtTgt4H

[Erica LaFata, Ph.D. @drericalafata]

Demonstrates neural underpinnings that contribute to the development and maintenance of obesity, plus raises questions about future studies needed to understand the role of the hypothalamus in body weight regulation.

[Ted Kyle @ConscienHealth]

A great new review from @cassandra_lowe et al explains how #BrainScience tells us that #obesity is about far more than simple conscious #choices. https://t.co/XcQZz7Nwss

[UConn Rudd Center @UConnRuddCenter]

"These food ads push foods that contribute to obesity, only worsening a public health crisis that disproportionately affects communities of color," said study author Jennifer Harris. https://t.co/Rn9kPNRamI

[Erica LaFata, Ph.D. @drericalafata]

A look into why pizza (among other highly processed foods) may be especially rewarding. https://t.co/0gd033f9Yr

[Erica LaFata, Ph.D. @drericalafata]

The interaction between longstanding regional food culture and the growing abundance of processed foods is interesting. Example: Comfort foods a staple of Southern states' cuisine + more availability/accessibility of processed comfort foods = greater consumption/weight gain?

[Ted Kyle @ConscienHealth]

Maybe we should be looking at the #ToxicFoodEnvironment through a #social and #cultural lens. Social and geographic factors clearly play a role in a region #CatchingObesity. https://t.co/AtdEoHvEzh