Consumption of unusually large amounts of food associated with the feeling of being unable to stop eating.
Binge eating disorder is described as eating excessively, or uncontrollably, between periodic time intervals.
A process with excessive overeating and feeling of being out of control becomes a regular recurrence.
1-5% of persons have a binge eating disorder.
Most patients with being eating disorder are overweight, but some are normal weight.
Characteristics of binge eating disorder:
Eating unusually large amounts of food in a specific amount of time
Feeling that eating behavior is out of control
Eating when full or not hungry
Eating rapidly during binge episodes
Eating until uncomfortably full
Frequent eating alone or in secret
Feeling depressed, guilty, or upset about eating
Frequently dieting.
The risk for BED can be present in children and most commonly manifests during adulthood.
Studies suggest that the heritability of BED in adults is approximately 50%.
Similarly to bulimia, some people may be involved in purging and binging.
Patients might vomit after food intake or take purgatives.