WE’VE ALL HAD THOSE DAYS when we just can’t seem to resist eating more than we should. That extra slice of pizza or second piece of birthday cake beckons enticingly, and we willingly succumb to its allure. Or, we make a second (or third) trip to the buffet line or potluck table in spite of being uncomfortably full already. Of course, many a brimming bowl of popcorn, bag of potato chips, or plate of brownies has fallen prey to a session of mindless eating in front of the TV.
But for approximately 2.8 million US adults (based on a nationwide survey), overeating goes far beyond the occasional episode and enters the realm of a serious condition called binge-eating disorder or compulsive overeating.
Binge eaters regularly consume excessive quantities of food and feel powerless to resist the impulse to overeat. While normal eaters may consume somewhere between 1,500 and 3,000 calories over the course of an entire day, a binge eater often takes in many thousands of calories in a single bingeing episode. As a result, most binge eaters are overweight or obese and are at elevated risk for the full gamut of obesity-related ailments, such as high blood pressure, gastrointestinal disorders, sleep apnea, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain forms of cancer. However, it’s important to note that not all binge eaters are overweight. Nor does being overweight or obese necessarily signal a problem with binge eating.
From an emotional standpoint, people who binge eat often experience intense feelings of embarrassment, disgust, and depression as a result of their behavior and commonly vow to diet or eat better after a period of gorging. However, due to the compulsive nature of this disorder, they invariably binge again, which only begets further emotional stress.
Though behaviorally similar in some respects to people with bulimia, binge eaters differ in that they typically don’t attempt to rid themselves of excess calories and prevent weight gain through practices such as self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, and over-exercising.
Behavioral and emotional symptoms commonly associated with binge eating include:
• Frequently eating abnormally large amounts of food, even when already full or uncomfortably full
• Eating much more rapidly than normal when gorging
• Feeling unable to control how much or what types of food are eaten
• Experiencing feelings of guilt, disgust, depression, or anxiety after bingeing
• Having feelings of low selfesteem
• Frequently dieting without weight loss or with weight fluctuation
• Eating alone or secretly, hoarding food, or hiding empty food containers to conceal the amount of food eaten.
Though the underlying causes of binge eating are not fully understood, doctors can often determine whether a patient fits the criteria for binge-eating disorder by conducting a series of physical, psychological, and laboratory tests to assess factors such as the patient’s body mass index, heart rate, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, thyroid function, eating habits, and thoughts and feelings toward food.
Overcoming binge-eating disorder can be challenging, however, because, unlike people who are addicted to substances like drugs or alcohol, binge eaters can’t give up food entirely. Nonetheless, help is available for people struggling with this behavior—usually involving a multifaceted approach that addresses all the emotional and physical components of the issue. For example, a psychologist who specializes in eating disorders can help binge eaters get to the emotional root of their problem and arm them with techniques they can use to fight the compulsion. A dietitian can help them develop meal plans that are not only healthy but also take personal tastes and preferences into account so they can eat better without feeling deprived. A physician who specializes in treating obesity can address the physical impact of the disorder and help patients shed weight in a healthy manner. A support group can be a great source for advice and ongoing encouragement from others who are struggling with the same problem.
The key to overcoming this complicated issue is to stop suffering in silence and trying to manage the compulsion alone. The sooner they seek professional support and treatment, the sooner binge eaters can regain control of their lives. A visit and frank discussion with a trusted doctor is a great place to start.
