Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is an eating disorder characterized by sudden, uncontrollable cravings that occur repeatedly over a short period.
This article has been professionally consulted by Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Head of the Gastrointestinal Surgery Department, Central Military Hospital 108.
Binge episodes often occur when the individual is sad, stressed, or anxious… (Photo: AI).
When Does Binge Eating Disorder Occur?
- Individuals with obesity are at a higher risk of developing BED, but it can also occur in those with a normal weight.
- Binge episodes often arise during times of sadness, stress, or anxiety.
Causes
Psychological Factors:
- Individuals experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem have a higher risk of developing BED.
- BED can also serve as a coping mechanism to relieve stress and other negative emotions.
Genetics: Individuals with relatives who have had BED are at an increased risk for this eating disorder.
Nutrition Issues: Those who consume a low-nutrient diet and frequently eat foods high in sugar, simple carbohydrates, fats, and calories are at a greater risk for developing BED.
Symptoms
Overeating:
- Individuals with BED often consume larger quantities of food than most people in similar time frames and circumstances.
- When eating, they find it difficult to stop and feel a loss of control over their eating behavior.
Loss of Control During Eating:
- People with BED often cannot stop eating once they begin.
- They feel a lack of control over their eating behavior while consuming food and cannot regulate the quantity being eaten.
Discomfort After Eating: Individuals with BED frequently experience discomfort, stomach pain, fatigue, and feelings of self-blame after eating.
Frequent Eating: Those with BED tend to eat more frequently than usual and cannot control their eating behavior.
Consequences
- Those with binge eating disorder often report a feeling of loss of control and eat to the point of discomfort, experiencing stomach pain and fatigue afterward.
- Patients often gain excessive weight, leading to obesity, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes.
- Additionally, individuals with BED may also face other mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, stress, insomnia, and low self-esteem.
Diagnosis
To diagnose BED, at least 3 out of 5 of the following symptoms must be present:
- Eating faster than normal within a certain period (e.g., 2 hours).
- Eating until feeling comfortably full or very full.
- Consuming a large amount of food even when not hungry.
- Eating alone due to feelings of embarrassment about the amount consumed.
- Feeling distressed, anxious, or guilty after overeating.
Treatment
- Lifestyle Changes: Adjusting dietary habits, exercising, managing stress, losing weight, improving sleep, and practicing emotional regulation skills.
- Healthy Diet: Consuming a balanced diet, avoiding foods high in sugar, simple carbohydrates, fats, and calories.
- Psychotherapy: Psychological methods such as stress management techniques and enhancing emotional regulation skills.
- Medications: Some medications, such as anti-anxiety or antidepressant drugs, may be used to alleviate BED symptoms.
Be cautious if you notice these signs on your hands
Why do people crave ‘bad eating’?
The man with binge eating was compared by doctors to a wild animal
