Binge eating

Binge eating disorder is one of the many eating disorders where a person consumes a large amount of food in a short period of time on a regular basis and feel a lack of control over their eating.

Unlike the occasional person that eats large quantity of food quickly on a special occasion or in a rush, these people with binge eating disorder are usually very upset by their binge eating habits and often experience stress, anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping, urge to purge after eating. In addition to the problem of weight gain, overweight status or obesity, binge eating disorder may also lead to other serious health problems such as metabolic syndrome, heart disease and diabetes.

Most people with binge eating often feel ashamed and try to hide their eating habits, tend to eat when nobody is watching, and appear to eat very little in public while they are visibly overweight or obese.

Binge eating disorder can be properly diagnosed and treated successfully under the care of a trained obesity medicine specialist physician.

Prevalence of binge eating disorder
As the most common eating disorder in the United States, binge eating disorder affects 3.5 percent of women and 2 percent of men. Among the young adults, about 1.6 percent may also suffer from binge eating disorder.

Age disparities of binge eating disorder
Binge eating affects significantly more women than men as noted above, and among women, binge eating disorder is most common in early adulthood, while among men it is most common in midlife.

Racial disparities in binge eating disorder
There are no known racial disparities for binge eating disorder as it affects blacks as often as whites. However, it is not known how often it affects people in other racial and ethnic groups.

Obesity and binge eating disorder
People who are overweight or obese are at a higher risk for developing the binge disorder compared to those of normal weight. Although not all that are obese do not have binge eating disorder, about 2 in 3 people who have the disorder are obese. It is also important to note that people of normal weight can also have binge eating disorder.

Symptoms of binge eating disorder
Although eating a lot of food does not necessarily mean that you have binge eating disorder, and the diagnosis should be made by a trained health care professional, the following symptoms might be noted in those that suffer from binge eating disorder.


 * eat a large amount of food in a short period of time like 1-2 hours.
 * feel a lack of control over their eating.
 * feel that they cannot stop eating or control what or how much they are eating.

Comparing binge eating disorder with bulimia nervosa
People who have the eating disorder bulimia nervosa also binge eat on a regular basis. However, those with bulimia may try to make up for the binge eating by using unhealthy behaviors, such as vomiting, using laxatives or diuretics (water pills), fasting, and/or doing too much exercise.

People who have binge eating disorder may also
 * eat much more quickly than usual
 * eat until uncomfortably full
 * eat large amounts of food even when not really hungry
 * eat alone
 * feel disgusted, depressed, or guilty after overeating

Causes binge eating disorder
Although the exact causes is not known or idiopathic like in the other eating disorders, binge eating disorder may result from a combination of polygenetic factors, along with psychological factors, emotional factors, social factors, and other factors. Some form of traumatic childhood experiences—such as family problems and critical comments about shape, weight, or eating—may also make some people more likely to develop the binge eating disorder which is also linked to depression and anxiety.

It is important to note that dietary changes to eating habits that are made as part of obesity treatment are not harmful to people with binge eating disorder and may promote weight loss.

Health risks of binge eating disorder
People with binge eating disorder are usually have many psychosocial problems such as anxiety, depression, insomnia and may miss school, social activities, or work to binge eat.

People with binge eating disorder may have digestive problems, headaches, joint pains, menstrual problems, and muscle pains. Binge eating can lead to weight gain, metabolic syndrome, sleep apnea, cholesterol problems, and other health problems related to obesity.

Binge eating disorder and weight loss
People with binge eating disorder will benefit from a medical weight loss program that also offers treatment for eating disorders.

How is binge eating disorder treated? People with binge eating disorder should get professional help which may include the use of behavior change therapy, counseling on eating patterns, and/or drugs with the aim of changing the thoughts and beliefs that lead to binge eating and promote healthy eating and physical activity habits.

If you have any symptoms of binge eating disorder, you may want to consider the W8MD medical weight loss centers of America for professional help.

Most people do well in treatment and can overcome binge eating and should seek professional help.