Does Anyone Want Seconds? Thirds? Fourths?

Taking A Bite Out of Binge Eating

Most of us overeat from time to time – especially during the Holidays – and many people often feel they’ve eaten more than they should have. Eating a lot doesn’t always mean that a person has binge eating disorder. Doctors generally agree that most people with serious binge eating problems often:

• feel their eating is out of control
• eat what most people would think is an unusually large amount of food
• eat much more quickly during binge episodes than they do otherwise
• eat until they are so full they are uncomfortable
• eat large amounts of food, even when they’re not really hungry
• eat alone because they’re embarrassed about the amount of food they eat
• feel disgusted, depressed, or guilty after overeating

Binge eating also takes place within another eating disorder: bulimia nervosa. People with bulimia nervosa, however, usually purge, fast, or do strenuous exercise after they binge eat; binge eaters do not. Binge eating disorder is probably the most common eating disorder. Most people with this problem are either overweight or obese,* but normal-weight people can also suffer from it.

About two percent of all adults in the United States (as many as 4 million Americans) have binge eating disorder. As much as 15 percent of people who are mildly obese and try to lose weight on their own or through commercial weight-loss programs have binge eating disorder. Binge eating disorder is even more common in people who are severely obese.

Binge eating disorder is a little more common in women than in men; three women for every two men have it. The disorder affects blacks as often as whites. No one knows exactly how often it affects people in other ethnic groups. People who are obese and have binge eating disorder often became overweight at a younger age than those without the disorder. They might also lose and gain back weight (the “yo-yo diet”) more often.

What Causes Binge Eating Disorder? No one knows for sure what causes binge eating disorder, but depression seems to be a factor. As many as half of all people with binge eating disorder have been depressed in the past. Whether depression causes binge eating disorder or whether binge eating disorder causes depression is not known.

Many people who are binge eaters say that being angry, sad, bored, or worried can cause them to binge eat. Impulsive behavior (acting quickly without thinking) and certain other emotional problems can be more common in people with binge eating disorder.

It is also unclear if dieting and binge eating are related. Some studies show that about half of all people with binge eating disorder had binge episodes before they started to diet.

Researchers also are looking into how brain chemicals and metabolism (the way the body uses calories) affect binge eating disorder. This research is still in the early stages.

What Are the Complications of Binge Eating Disorder? Binge eaters can suffer more illnesses than others because they may not be getting the right nutrients. They usually eat large amounts of fats and sugars, which don't have a lot of vitamins or minerals.

People suffering from binge eating disorder are usually very upset by their binge eating and may develop serious forms of depression.

People who are obese and also have binge eating disorder are at increased risk for:
• diabetes
• high blood pressure
• high blood cholesterol levels
• gall bladder disease
• heart disease
• certain types of cancer

Most binge eaters have tried to control it on their own, but haven’t been able to for very long. Some miss work, school, or even social activities to binge eat. People suffering from binge eating disorder who are also obese often feel especially bad about themselves and may avoid social gatherings altogether.

Whether they are obese or not, most binge eaters feel ashamed and try to hide their problem. They often become so good at hiding it that even close friends and family members don't know they binge eat.

How Is Binge Eating Treated? People with binge eating disorder, whether or not they want to lose weight, need the assessment and help of a behavioral health professional. Even those not overweight are usually upset by their binge eating, and treatment- especially therapy – can help. Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches how to track eating and change unhealthy eating habits. It also teaches how to change the way to handle or react to difficult situations. Interpersonal psychotherapy helps people look at their relationships with friends and family and make changes in problem areas. Drug therapy, such as antidepressants, may be helpful for some people. A combination of therapy and medication is frequently the most effective means of treatment. For binge eaters who are also overweight, a weight-loss program may be an additional component of treatment.

If you think you or a loved one might have binge eating disorder, it's important to know you’re not alone. Most people who have the disorder have tried but failed to control it on their own, but is takes more than simple will power. The earlier help is sought, the sooner you or your loved one can get better. The good news is that most people do well in treatment and can overcome binge eating. If you mix the letters around the right way in ‘binge,’ you get ‘begin.’ Begin the first step toward ending binge eating today by contacting a behavioral health professional.

* The 1998 NIH Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults define overweight as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9 and obesity as a BMI of 30 or more. BMI is calculated by dividing weight (in kilograms) by height (in meters) squared.