Binge Eating Disorder

What Is Binge Eating Disorder? What Causes Binge Eating Disorder?

Binge eating disorder typically includes periods of excessive overeating. However, a person with a binge eating disorder does not subsequently induce purging (vomiting), as is the case with bulimia.

Binge eating can occur on its own, or alongside other disorders or conditions, such as Prader-Willi disorder, or a lesion of the hypothalamus gland.

Binge eating can encourage the development of hypertension (high blood pressure), obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Treatment options depend on what is causing the binge eating.

A person with a binge eating disorder feels compelled to eat too much. Individuals will consume enormous quantities of food, even when they are not hungry. Binge eaters believe they have absolutely no control over their eating.

After a bout of binge eating the person feels disgust and guilt. This feeling of failed self may form part of an underlying problem, such as anxiety or depression - both can either cause or exacerbate the disorder.

Even the best of us occasionally overeats, helping ourselves to seconds, and even thirds; especially on holiday or festive celebrations. This is not a binge eating disorder. It becomes a disorder when the bingeing occurs regularly, and the binger is shrouded in shame and secrecy. The binger is deeply embarrassed about overeating and vows never to do it again. However, the compulsion is so strong that subsequent urges to gorge themselves cannot be resisted.

In many parts of the world binge eating disorder is not considered a distinct condition. However, it is the most common of all eating disorders. Perhaps as more research is published and scientists learn more about it, this may change.

What are the risk factors for binge eating disorder?

A risk factor is something which increases the likelihood of developing a condition or disease. For example, obesity significantly raises the risk of developing diabetes type 2. Therefore, obesity is a risk factor for diabetes type 2.

Experts are not sure how many people have binge eating disorder; partly because bingers tend to be secretive, and also the exact definition of the disorder tends to vary from person-to-person, expert-to-expert and health center to health center. According to the Mayo Clinic, USA, there are estimates which suggest that possibly up to 4% of the American population has a bingeing disorder. It appears to be marginally more common among females than males.

The following risk factors have been suggested: Age - although people of any age may be affected, a higher percentage of adults in their 40s and 50s have the disorder. Learn more....