Binge-eating disorder is the most commonly occurring eating disorder in America, affecting an estimated 2 to 5 percent of the population says the American Psychological Association. It is characterized by episodes of binging, or eating large quantities of food in a single setting, consuming more calories than needed, and eating until overfull.
BED distinguishes itself from bulimia nervosa, in which binge episodes also occur, in that the person does not engage in a purging behavior after a binge. It is for this reason that many with binge-eating disorder are overweight or obese.
For those with eating disorders, there are correlations between low self-esteem and EDs; in fact, the descriptions of depression, sadness, helplessness and low self-worth can describe both low self-esteem and the emotions of those with an ED.
Obesity in America
The growing population of obese and overweight persons is a well-known topic in the United States. The National Center for Health Statistics shows two-thirds, or 166 million adults in the U.S., are considered overweight or obese, or having a Body Mass Index of above 25 for overweight, 30 or higher to be considered obese.
The growing concern in this country is that obesity has substantially increased among all ages, genders and racial groups. The percentage of obesity cases have increased from 13.3 to 32.1 percent, for adults ages 20 to 74, over the past few decades.
Overweight and BED
Psychology Today estimates that 15 percent of the mildly obese have binge-eating disorder, which occurs about equally among men and women. Other estimates place 8 percent of those who are obese as also suffering from BED. This correlation brings serious health risks to those with BED, which include heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and cancer.
In addition, those often categorized as obese suffer from similar emotional stressors, sadness, shame, guilt, as those diagnosed with binge-eating disorder.
BED and Weight Loss Treatments
Treatment for binge-eating disorder, like other eating disorders, involves psychological therapy, nutritional counseling and other treatments to help clients better manage their relationships to body image and food. Some programs choose also to address the problems with excess weight, and include weight loss programs in clients' treatment plans.
The concept is that reducing a client's weight and increasing their activity will increase self-esteem, and therefore help reduce the binge-eating disorder. Those on the side of psychological therapy maintain that reducing binge episodes will in turn, have an effect on excess weight.
Science is attempting to assist in the weight-loss process as well. A 2008 study in the International Journal of Eating Disorders has tested a pharmacological treatment to help those suffering from BED and excess weight. The subjects found that the drug reduced the frequency of binge episodes and the severity of their illness.
Another breakthrough study released late last year involved the appetite suppressant drug, Meridia, which the Journal of Psychology reported helped participants reducing binging behavior and reduce their total weight.
As science moves closer to discovering biological connections to the causes of BED and obesity, the discipline also moves closer to finding a solution for both health concerns. For more information on eating disorders visit the APA or the NIMH.
Lisa Ann Schleipfer - I am a creative writer from the Great Lakes area, now residing in the sticky state of Florida. I penned my first poem when I was eight, ...
