binge-eating disorder
Last updatedWhat to know
Binge-eating disorder (BED) became an official diagnosis in 2013, when the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) was published. Binge-eating disorder is not the same as overeating. A binge-eating episode often involves eating far past satiation until one is painfully full. An individual will often feel unable to stop eating despite intense feelings of shame or guilt. These episodes may occur at least once a week for months on end.
Binge eating disorder is not the same as obesity. Most people with obesity do not have BED. While BED can contribute to weight gain, it is a psychological condition, not a metabolic one. People with BED often show extreme anxiety around food and weight. They may hide food or refuse to eat in public to avoid judgment from others. Binge-eating disorder is typically treated with psychotherapy and medication, not weight loss regimens (although a doctor may recommend weight loss regimens after an individual’s BED symptoms are under control).
People of color are significantly less likely to receive help for their disordered eating compared to white people, and research has found that clinicians are less likely to recommend professional treatment for Black women in particular, compared to white and Latina women with the same symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of sourcing across a range of communities in coverage of anorexia and other eating disorders.
It can be misleading to describe eating a lot of food as bingeing unless it’s in the context of bulimia or binge-eating disorder. Unless you’re writing about the concept of food addiction specifically, addiction-related terms can also be misleading when applied to nutrition or weight. Multiple studies have found, for example, that while sugar can activate the pleasure pathways of the brain, it doesn’t lead to physical tolerance in the way that a substance like nicotine might.
Additional resources
- Binge Eating Disorder (National Eating Disorders Association)
- The Issue with Casually Using the Word “Binge” (Dictionary.com)
Summary
Binge-eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption. It is not the same as overeating. It can be misleading to describe eating a lot of food as bingeing unless it’s in the context of bulimia or binge-eating disorder. Unless you’re writing about the concept of food addiction specifically, addiction-related terms can also be misleading when applied to nutrition or weight.