Nutrition Current Topics in Nutrition

Binge Eating Most Common Eating Disorder

With waif-like, thinning actresses being accused of it left and right, anorexia has probably become the best-known eating disorder. But new data show that this eating disorder noted for low caloric intake is not the most popular.

Binge eating, also known as compulsive-eating disorder, is the intake of too many calories at one time. It is in fact the most common form of eating disorder in the United States, say researchers. This disease, defined as periods of uncontrollable eating, seems to affect 3.5 percent of women and 2 percent of men at some point in their lives.

“Everybody knows about anorexia and bulimia; however binge eating disorder affects more people, is often associated with severe obesity and tends to persist longer,” said Dr. James I. Hudson, lead study author from McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts.

Anorexia nervosa, a disease defined by the intake of too few calories, by contrast affects fewer than 1 percent of women and much fewer men. Bulimia, another eating disorder defined by the “purging” of food after it is consumed, affects 1.5 percent of women and 0.5 percent of men.

“Binge eating has a higher incidence than either one of the other eating disorders,” said Dr. John Bunnell, the director of outpatient clinical services at the Renfrew Center in Wilton, Connecticut.

An eating disorder is defined as an unhealthy eating habit. Though most eating disorders involve limiting food intake, binge eating is the complete opposite. It is the uncontrolled intake of food well past the point of hunger.

People with a binge eating problem may eat when they are experiencing emotional difficulties: stress, anger or hurt. And while food can serve as a comfort, often it is their only way of dealing with their problems.

“Binge eating is more equally distributed across genders,” said Bunnell.

In a nation with ever-expanding waistlines, binge eating, of course, puts people at risk for piling on the pounds. Moreover, it increases your risk of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke.

It is not understood why some people turn to binge eating, but experts believe that it is a combination of factors, including genetics, emotions and eating behaviors that are learned during childhood.

Someone with a binge eating disorder tends to eat very rapidly until uncomfortably full, often these periods occur more than twice a week. And these symptoms are combined with a tendency to eat alone out of embarrassment, and feel depressed, guilty or disgusted after a binge.

Less research has been done on binge eating than anorexia and bulimia, but treatment for a binge eating disorder can be successful. With time and the work of doctors, nutritionists and psychiatrists, said Bunnell, any eating disorder can be overcome.