Binge eating disorder can result from numerous psychological, social, cultural, and biological factors and is the most common eating disorder in the United States, affecting approximately 2.8 million adults.

Diagnosis

Binge eating disorder (BED) is diagnosed by recurrent episodes, at least once a week for three months, associated with specific criteria, presented with marked distress, and not linked with compensatory behaviors as seen in bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa. Specific criteria include eating an amount of food in a discrete period that is much larger than most people in a similar timeframe and losing control of eating during the episode. Associations with binge eating episodes are eating much more quickly than usual, eating until uncomfortably full, and feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or guilty afterward.

What To Look Out For 

The warning signs and symptoms of BED feature emotional, behavioral, and physical properties. These include, but are by far not limited to, diminished comfortability with eating around others, stealing and hoarding food in strange places, withdrawing from friends and activities, dieting, frequent checking in the mirror, eating alone out of embarrassment, and feelings of low self-esteem, disgust, depression, and guilt. Furthermore, noticeable fluctuations in weight (up and down), difficulty concentrating, and gastrointestinal complications are common physical attributes of BED.

Impact on the Mind and Body 

The health consequences of BED are serious, life-threatening, and affect both the emotional and physical health of the suffering individual. Those struggling with an eating disorder, such as BED, need to seek professional help early on because it increases the likelihood of recovery on both a physical and emotional level.  BED can have a negative impact on a person’s cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, and endocrine systems. Common health consequences include low heart rate, slowed digestion, constipation, malnutrition, intestinal obstruction and infection, difficulty falling or staying asleep, fainting and dizziness, reduced metabolic rate, kidney failure, and anemia.