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In some ways, binge eating disorder resembles bulimia nervosa. It, too, involves uncontrolled eating or bingeing, but without purging.
People with this disorder eat uncontrollably and do not stop until they feel sick, or over-full. As a result, they are usually obese, experience fluctuations in weight, and have difficulty losing weight and keeping it off.
About 2 percent of the general population are binge eaters and are more often women than men. The American Anorexia Bulimia Association (AABA) estimates as many as 40 percent of obese people may be binge eaters. Research shows binge eating disorder occurs in about 30 percent of people participating in medically supervised weight control programs.
Binge eating is usually followed by intense feelings of guilt, shame and depression. The AABA suggests binge eaters are using food as a dysfunctional means of coping with psychological problems. Medical problems that may result from binge eating include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gall bladder disease, diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer.
Danger signs:
- Episodes of binge eating
- Eating when not physically hungry
- Frequent dieting
- Feeling unable to stop eating voluntarily
- Awareness that eating patterns are abnormal
- Weight fluctuations
- Depressed mood
- Feeling ashamed
- Antisocial behavior
- Obesity
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External Source
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The American Anorexia Bulimia Association
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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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