What Is Binge Eating Disorder?
By Kelsey Chadwick, MS RDN
Friday March 1, 2024
For National Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2024, we are sharing information about the types of eating disorders. We hope this can serve as a resource for folks looking to learn more about the distinctions between different disorder types.
Binge eating disorder (BED), is the most common eating disorder in the United States. BED is more than three times more common than anorexia and bulimia combined. It is also more common than breast cancer, HIV, and schizophrenia. (1)
BED affects people of all ages. BED affects 1.25% of adult women and 0.42% of adult men (2). BED is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food over a short period of time and a feeling of loss of control during the binge, experiencing shame or guilt afterwards. BED is very different from overeating at a meal. Prior to 2013, BED was a subtype of OSFED (other specified feeding and eating disorders) and today it is recognized in the DSM-5.
Binge eating has been reported in young children and older adults, but most often develops in late teen years and early twenties. Three out of ten individuals searching for weight loss treatments show signs of BED. (3)
“The diagnosis of binge eating disorder requires frequent binges (at least once a week for three months), associated with a sense of lack of control and with three or more of the following features: eating more rapidly than normal, eating until uncomfortably full, eating large amounts of food when not feeling hungry, eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much one is eating and feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed or very guilty after a binge.” (4)
The following are behavioral, psychological and physical signs of orthorexia:
Behavioral Signs
Periods of uncontrolled or impulsive eating
Eating until uncomfortably full and feeling unable to stop
Avoiding social situations and becoming more socially withdrawn
Hiding food
Eating alone or in secret
Psychological Signs
Preoccupation with food
Body dissatisfaction
Feelings of shame, guilt and self loathing after a binge eating episode
Low self esteem
Anxiety and depression
Physical Signs
Gastrointestinal issues
Feeling bloated
Constipation
Poor sleep
Feeling tired
Cardiovascular issues
Weight changes
Binge eating treatment includes individual or group based cognitive behavioral psychotherapy. Interpersonal therapy and working with a dietitian and primary care provider is also an important part of treatment. Recovery does not include weight suppression and should not include weight suppression. Recovery should include working with your dietitian to find an eating pattern that works for you that includes all foods and adequate, nourishing meals. It will also include reframing thoughts around food and your body.
Binge eating disorder is not a choice, it is an eating disorder. If you’re ready to reclaim your intuitive eating skills, you are welcome to reach out for personal nutrition counseling with a member of our team.
Additional Statistics
Girls who diet frequently are 12 times as likely to binge as girls who don’t diet (5)
33% of people with binge eating disorder are also diagnosed with major depressive disorder. (6)
Hudson JI, Hiripi E, Pope HG Jr, and Kessler RC. (2007). The prevalence and correlates of eating disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Biological Psychiatry, 61(3):348-58. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.03.040.
Udo T, Grilo CM. Prevalence and correlates of DSM-5-defined eating disorders in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. Biological Psychiatry. 2018;84(5):345–354. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.03.014
Westerberg, D. P., & Waitz, M. (2013). Binge-eating disorder. Osteopathic Family Physician, 5(6), 230-233.)
“What Are Eating Disorders?” Psychiatry.Org - What Are Eating Disorders?, www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/eating-disorders/what-are-eating-disorders#section_3. Accessed 6 Nov. 2023.
Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2005). I’m, Like, SO Fat!.New York: Guilford.
Milos, G., Spindler, A., Buddeberg, C., & Crameri, A. (2003). Axes I and II comorbidity and treatment experiences in eating disorder subjects. Psychother and Psychosom, 72(5), 276-285.)