Binge Eating Disorder

Binge Eating Disorder is a newly recognized eating disorder characterized by frequent episodes of uncontrolled overeating.

Binge Eating Disorder has several primary symptoms:

• Frequent episodes of eating large quantities of food in short periods of time often secretly, without regard to feelings of “hunger” or “fullness”
• Frequent feelings of being “out of control” during binges
• Eating large quantities of food rapidly, without really tasting the food
• Eating alone
• Feelings of shame, disgust, or guilt after a binge

Health Consequences of Binge Eating Disorder:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Heart disease as a result of elevated triglyceride levels
• Secondary diabetes
• Gallbladder disease

About Binge Eating Disorder:

• The prevalence of binge eating disorder in the general population is still being determined. Researchers estimate that approximately 25% of obese individuals suffer from frequent episodes of binge eating (Fairburn, 1998)
• Binge eating disorder affects women slightly more often than men--estimates indicate that about 60% of people struggling with binge eating disorder are female, 40% are male (NIH, 1993)
• People who struggle with binge eating disorder can be of normal or heavier than average weight
• Many people who suffer from binge eating disorder have a history of depression (NIH, 1993)
• People struggling with binge eating disorder often express distress, shame, and guilt over their eating behaviors