Binge Eating Disorder

Binge Eating Disorder is probably the most common eating disorder, affecting about 2% of all adults. It is slightly more common (3:2) in Women than men. Often these people lose and gain back weight ('yo-yo' dieting) and are often obese, having become overweight in childhood. Binge eating is twice as common in obese people compared to normal weight people.

Binge Eating Disorder is different than Binge-Purge Syndrome which is also known as bulimia nervosa. In binge eating disorder, people usually do not vomit (purge), fast, or take laxatives or diuretics (water pills).

Millions of people suffer from eating disorders, but binge eating disorder is just being recognized as a separate condition. Many of us over-eat from time to time, but with this disorder several things occur:

People with binge eating disorder feel disgust, guilt and depression after overeating

People with binge eating disorder eat alone because they are embarrassed at how much they eat

They eat much more rapidly than usual

They eat large quantities of food even when they are not hungry

People with this disorder eat until they are uncomfortably full

As high as 5% of individuals with binge eating disorder have a history of depression, but it remains a mystery if the depression is the cause of the binge eating. Many things can trigger a binge, including: Anger, sadness, stress, anxiety, negative emotions and boredom.

Often binge eaters have other disorders like severe obesity, psychological problems and impulsive behavior. Other behaviors are more common in binge eating disorders too, especially alcohol abuse, feeling they are not 'in charge' of themselves, and not feeling part of their community. They frequently don't notice or talk about their feelings, and have more health problems, stress, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts than people without an eating disorder. These individuals often miss work or other social events and prefer to stay home and binge.

Most individuals with this disorder feel ashamed of themselves and try to hide their problem. They become so good at it that frequently family members and close friends are not aware of their binging.

People with binge eating disorder are at risk for serious health problems that include:

Type 2 (adult onset) diabetes

High Cholesterol

High blood pressure

Heart disease

Some types of cancer

Gallbladder disease

Children also can be at risk of developing binge eating disorder. Watch your child's snacking routine. If children eat unusually large amounts of food and feel guilty or are secretive in doing it, they could be struggling with binge eating disorder. For some children susceptible to this disorder, the food initially provides comfort, but then, incredible guilt and distress. They eat unusually large quantities of food quickly and feel completely out of control as they do it. These children binge fairly regularly.

Children and teens can have huge appetites, especially during a growth spurt. Thist doesn't necessarily mean they have binge eating disorder. Often parents first suspect a problem when large quantities of food start missing from the refrigerator or pantry. They find it hard to imagine one child could have eaten so much. Certain signs can indicate an eating problem. Watch for the following in your child:

The child eats a lot of food very quickly

There is a pattern of eating in response to emotional stress

The child feels ashamed or disgusted by the amount he has eaten

Finding food containers hidden in the child's room

An increasingly irregular eating pattern--skipping meals, eating lots of junk food, eating at unusual times (late at night)

Signs of depression, anxiety, guilt or shame

Avoiding school and avoiding socializing with friends.

There is little information on how children and teens are affected by the disorder because the condition has only recently been recognized. Many parents are embarrassed to seek professional help. Many adults who are in treatment say that their binging started in childhood.

One of the probable causes of binge eating disorder is brain chemistry and metabolism (how the body uses calories). Also, genes seem to play an important part because frequently, several family members have the disorder. Studies are still in the early stages.

Binge eating disorder in children, teens or adults can be very dangerous. Anyone who thinks he/she has an eating problem, and any parent that suspects a child of having an eating problem needs to consult a medical expert immediately. Many treatments are available including medications and counseling. It is very hard to admit to having an eating disorder. Remember, you are not alone and you cannot control it alone. Seek professional help and treatment.