Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disor-
ders Fourth Edition-Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR)
published by the American Psychiatric Association
(APA). Binge eating is an acknowledged problem,
but it has not risen to the level a separate psychiatric
disorder as defined by the APA. Some experts believe
binge eating is a subtype of bulimia, an eating disorder
characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by
purging the body of calories. Other experts believe
that binge eating should be classified as an obesity-
related behavior. Some healthcare providers place
binge-eating disorder in the APA category of eating
disorders not otherwise specified. Although the way a
healthcare professional views binge eating does not
change the behavior, it may influence the type of
therapy recommended and affect the degree to which
treatment is covered by heath insurance providers.
Everyone eats too much occasionally, but people
with binge-eaters disorder have an abnormal eating
pattern that occurs frequently. Many eating disorder
specialists define binge-eating disorder as binge eating
behavior that occurs at least twice a week for three
months and has a negative effect on the individual’s
relationships and daily activities.
Binge eaters exhibit many of the following
behaviors.
They eat abnormally large amounts of food at one
sitting, often consuming 3,000–10,000 calories in a
short period.
They gobble their food, eating much faster than usual.
During a binge, they feel out of control and unable to
stop eating, even though they may want to.
Despite feeling full or even painfully uncomfortable,
they continue to eat.
Binge eaters tend to diet constantly but never lose
weight.Then often eat alone and hide empty food containers
to disguise from others how much they eat.
They are ashamed and embarrassed about their
bingeing.
Food hoarding is common.
After a binge, they feel guilty, upset, disgusted and/or
depressed about how much they have eaten.
They vow to themselves never to binge again, but
cannot keep this promise.
Binge-eating disorder is different from bulimia.
The two disorders are similar in their bingeing behav-
ior, but people with bulimia follow a binge by purging
the body of calories. They do this by some combina-
tion of self-induced vomiting, laxative, diuretic, or
enema abuse, fasting, and compulsive exercising
beyond reasonable levels. People with binge-eating
disorder do nothing to purge the body of the extra
calories they have eaten, although they often try to diet
between binges. Many people who are bulimic alsoPossible health consequences of binge-eating- Anxiety
- Depression
- Obesity
- Obesity-related diseases
- Poor self-esteem
- Sleep problems
- Stress
- Substance abuse
- Suicidal thoughts
- Weight gain
- Weight obsession
(Illustration by GGS Information Services/Thomson Gale.)KEY TERMS
Electrolyte—ions in the body that participate in
metabolic reactions. The major human electrolytes
are sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca 2+),
magnesium (Mg2+), chloride (Cl-), phosphate
(HPO 4 2-), bicarbonate (HCO 3 -), and sulfate
(SO 4 2-).
Neurotransmitter—One of a group of chemicals
secreted by a nerve cell (neuron) to carry a chem-
ical message to another nerve cell, often as a way of
transmitting a nerve impulse. Examples of neuro-
transmitters include acetylcholine, dopamine,
serotonin, and norepinephrine.
Obese—more than 20% over the individual’s ideal
weight for their height and age or having a body
mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater.
Placebo—a pill or liquid given during the study of a
drug or dietary supplement that contains no medi-
cation or active ingredient. Usually study partici-
pants do not know if they are receiving a pill
containing the drug or an identical-appearing
placebo.
Triglycerides—a type of fat found in the blood.
High levels of triglycerides can increase the risk of
coronary artery disease
Type 2 diabetes—sometime called adult-onset dia-
betes, this disease prevents the body from properly
using glucose (sugar).Binge eating