I've always said that my book is a counterpoint to all the research, clinical experience, and other professional inquiry into food addiction, and that when our mutual perspectives become mainstream thought, it will have been far more attributable to their scholarship and experience than anything I did. 

That's why I'm excited to contemplate the third annual conference of the Society of Food Addiction Professionals, which will be Jan. 28-30 in Houston. I'll be participating for the third year, and serving as MC for the second.

As a sure sign of organizational evolution, the conference has a new leader this year — the estimable author Kay Sheppard — and neither of the group's principle co-founders will address the group, although both will be sit on panels.

Meanwhile, an array of first-time speakers will lend their expertise to attendees. Among them are Anne Katherine, author of "Anatomy of a Food Addiction," and Tennie McCarty, founder, CEO, and co-owner of Shades of Hope treatment center in Texas. 

Registration for the three-day event is $125. Go to foodaddictionprofessionals.org for a full slate and other information.