Binge eating disorder is the most common hidden eating disorder in United State. This disorder affects 4.5% females and 3% males and prevalent 35% of those seeking weight loss treatments. Until 2013 it was not classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder as an eating disorder. In the year 1959 Albert Stunkard it was described as “night eating syndrome”.

What is binge eating?

Binge eating is a pattern of disorder which consists of uncontrollable eating. Binge eaters often eat even when they are hungry and continue to consumption of foods long after they full. The symptoms of binge eating usually start from early childhood. A binge eating lasts for two hours. The term Binge Eating Disorder refers the similar binge eating behavior without nocturnal aspect. Binge eating disorder leads to unwanted weight gain or obesity.

Causes of binge eating disorder

Biological causes

Biological causes may responsible for binge eating disorder.

Example- last year my friend Eli’s hypothalamus (the part of brain that control our appetite) is damaged due to head injury. As a result of that hypothalamus may not be sending proper massages of hunger and fullness. Now Eli is suffering from overweight as she cannot

understand about her appetite and fullness, and consuming food over a period of her full.

Hormonal abnormalities are also responsible for binge eating disorder.

Social causes

Social eating is also responsible for binge. Due to social influence we consume more food without feeling any appetite.

Example- In a birthday party Kristin consumed hamburger (which contains 260 kcal calorie), cake (which contains 250 kcal calorie), pasta (which contains 370 kcal calorie) etc, now she is suffering from heart disease.

Psychological causes

Depression and binge are interrelated.

Example – nowadays my friend Tom is very depressed, as his girlfriend is engaged with other guy, so he is consuming excessive amount of foods than that of his requirements.

Symptoms of binge eating disorder

Behavioral symptoms

• Inability to stop eating
• Rapidly eating large portions of food
• Consuming even when you have no appetite.
• Eating normally around with friends
• Eating continuously throughout the day

Emotional symptoms

• Feeling stress or tension that is only overcome by eating
• Feeling worried over how much you’re eating
• No matter how much you eat
• Feeling depressed after overeating

Effects of binge eating disorder

Obesity and binge eating

Over time, compulsive overeating leads obesity. Obesity can causes some diseases such as-

• Type 2 diabetes
• Gallbladder disease
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Certain types of cancer
• Osteoarthritis
• Joint and muscle pain
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Sleep apnea 

Conclusion of binge eating disorder

There are many things we can do to help ourselves to stop binge eating, for this a professional support (psychiatrists, nutritionists doctors and obesity specialists) and treatment is necessary. An effective treatment program for binge eating disorder should be started more than just your symptoms and eating habits. It should also be needed to see the root causes of the problem—the emotional causes that lead to binge eating .

If obesity becomes an alarming situation, we should focus how we can lose our body weight. However, restricted diet can stop the binge eating. To reach any weight loss program you should be carefully monitored by a professional.