Binge Eating Disorder

     Binge eating disorder (BED) is a eating disorder that is characterized by a persons inability to control, or stop themselves, from eating large amounts of food. More often than not, this person eats to the point of extreme discomfort. "unlike anorexia or bulimia, binge eaters do not throw up their food, exercise a lot, or eat only small amounts of food. Because of this binge eaters are often overweight or obese." (Binge Eating Disorder Fact). Everyone overeats occasionally, but BED is different. For people who suffer from this condition, compulsive overeating becomes something that happens frequently and a lot of times, daily. The sufferer finds it almost impossible to stop eating.

     Most of the time people who suffer from this eating disorder are overweight or obese,  but people can suffer at a normal weight as well. (Turner, Chevese). It may surprise you that binge eating disorder is actually the most common eating disorder in the united states.(Binge Eating Disorder Fact). Characteristics of this disorder include:

• Eating in secrecy
• Feel intense amounts of guilt and shame related to eating habits
• Exclaim that they have "no control" or "cant stop"
• Eat very fast during a binge episode, without taking time to chew food completely or listen to their hunger cues.
• Hiding wrappers or hiding evidence that they have eaten
• Eating until the point of extreme fullness or even pain   
• Bingeing during certain time frames (ex. over a two hour time frame)
• Depression ,shame, anxiety

(BingeEatingDisorder)

Many people suffer in silence with binge eating disorder, they may feel ashamed about the amount of food they eat, or depressed. People suffering have the right to know that what they are enduring is, a eating disorder, and that there is treatment available. (BingeEatingDisorder).  According to Chevese Turner, the founder, president and CEO of BEDA, approaches to treatment in binge eating disorder can include "cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, interpersonal behavioral therapy, trauma therapy, medication and health at every size ."(Turner, Chevese)

Some statistics on binge eating disorder include:

• BED affects 1-3% of children
• 2.2-5.5%  of adults have the disorder
• 40% more prevalent in males than other eating disorders
• 19% are normal weight, 36% overweight and 45% obese

 (Turner, Chevese)

One woman's journey with BED

   Penn State Football player opens up about his BED

what is binge eating disorder-video

Citations:

"Binge Eating Disorder Fact Sheet." Womenshealth.gov. U.S Department of Health and Human                Services, 16 July 2012. Web. 04 Oct. 2016.         

Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Binge-Eating Disorder." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, n.d. Web. 4 Oct. 2016.    

Turner, Chevese. "Understanding, Treating and Coping with Binge Eating Disorder." National Eating      Disorders. N.p., 07 Mar. 2016. Web. 4 Oct. 2016. 

                    

"Binge Eating Disorder." National Eating Disorders. 4girlsfoundation, Center for Discovery, Eating Recovery Center, Rosewood, McCallum Place, n.d. Web. 5 Oct. 2016.