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Signs & Symptoms | Causes | Medical Complications

Binge Eating Disorder occurs when individuals eat unusually large amounts of food and feel out of control and powerless during their binges. Similar to bulimia nervosa, those with Binge Eating Disorder frequently consume large amounts of food, however this disorder is different from Bulimia Nervosa because people with Binge Eating Disorder usually do not purge (i.e. vomiting, laxatives, excessive exercise, etc) the food they consume during a binge episode.

Most people with Binge Eating Disorder are obese, but normal-weight people also can be affected. Binge Eating Disorder probably affects 2 percent of all adults, or about 1 million to 2 million Americans. The disorder is even more common in those with severe obesity.

Binge Eating Disorder is slightly more common in women, with three women affected for every two men. Obese people with Binge Eating Disorder often became overweight at a younger age than those without the disorder. They also may have more frequent episodes of losing and regaining weight (yo-yo dieting).

Signs & Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder

• Uncontrolled eating
• Eating large amounts of food in a short time period
• Compulsive overeating throughout day
• Rapid or frenzied eating
• Hiding food
• Secretive eating
• Missing work, school, or social events in order to eat
• Excessive sweating or shortness of breath
• Weight gain
• Decreased mobility caused by joint pain due to obesity
• Insomnia and poor sleeping habits
• Mood swings and depression
• Promiscuous sexual relations or impulsive behavior
• Describing food as a "friend"

Causes of Binge Eating Disorder

It is not known specifically what causes Binge Eating Disorder. A variety of factors contribute to Binge Eating Disorder which may include:

• Depression: As many as half of all people with Binge Eating Disorder are depressed or have been depressed in the past.
• Dieting: Some people binge after skipping meals, not eating enough food each day, or avoiding certain kinds of food.
• Coping skills: Studies suggest that people with Binge Eating Disorder may have trouble handling some of their emotions. Many people who are binge eaters say that being angry, sad, bored, worried, or stressed can cause them to binge eat.
• Biology: Researchers are looking into how brain chemicals and metabolism (the way the body uses calories) affect Binge Eating Disorder. Research also suggests that genes may be involved in binge eating, since the disorder often occurs in several members of the same family.

Medical Complications of Binge Eating Disorder

• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Gallbladder disease
• Heart disease
• Certain types of cancer
• Depression
• Anxiety

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