A robot assigned to me by Google hunts the internet relentlessly for uses of the term "food addiction," and it succeeds many times a day. One of the reports from 11/22 has 10 of them, which is on the larger size, but I get three to four of these reports every day.

On the face of it, that should hearten someone who's determined to broaden the discussion of obesity in America to include food addiction as a cause of some of it. (I assure those who might wonder if I realize: Food addiction is larger than obesity, but obesity as a result of food addiction is the one I am best versed in.)

But when I wade into these robo-reports, I see that we're not nearly there yet.

First there are the scummy references — random sales sites that throw oft-searched terms onto their pages so that the searchers will arrive where they didn't want to go, but perhaps stay to shop. This demonstrates, at least, that people are searching for the term.

But there is a more serious strain of misuse, in which "food addiction" is made comparable to a squeal of delight, as in, "OMG. I can't believe how many papoosas I ate last night. They're my new food addiction!" The top line on the 11/22 report is "My food addiction: Easy Apple Tart."

Right there is the problem. To people who actually have the condition, like me, it's not funny, and it's not fun. Like any addiction, it is manageable, with discipline and surrender and support, but it is not another way to describe a great time.

The current circumstance reminds me of an old PSA: A guy is jocularly describing how he got blind drunk the night before but pauses awkwardly when he realizes one in the crowd is actually blind. 

Finally: Once again for those who've missed the many other times I've said it: I am not suggesting that all fat people are food addicts. I am not suggesting that recognition of food addiction will fix the world. I am saying that food addiction is real and must be taken seriously, for the benefit both of undiagnosed sufferers and of all of us who pay the bills for all the Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer that result.

If you like something, like, really a lot, fine. But please, don't tell me that, "OMG, it's, like, this serious disease!" OK?