Binge eating - EFR 6-7

Eating disorders have been in the local and national news lately. The following provides a synopsis of a very recent report on binge eating.

(Submitted by Mary Cheatham, Extension graduate assistant)

Source: Bonnie Bruce and Denise Wilfley, Binge eating among the overweight population: A serious and prevalent problem, Journal of the American Dietetic Association 1996;96:58-61.

Studies have shown that 2% of the population, or up to 2 million adults, have serious binge eating problems. The authors of this review suggest that this number may be an underestimate. Binge eating is especially a problem for a subset of obese patients (25 to 50% of obese seeking medical help with weight loss are estimated to have problems with binge eating). However, normal weight individuals can be binge eaters. Slightly more women than men (3 to 2) have problems with binge eating.

Binge eating is defined by the American Psychiatric Association as eating in a short period of time (eg 2 hours) more food than most people would eat and a sense of lack of control over eating during this time. Binge eating is also associated with at least three of the following. (This behavior occurs at least 2 days a week for 6 months.)

1. Eating much more rapidly than normal.
2. Eating until feeling uncomfortably full.
3. Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry.
4. Eating alone because of being embarrassed by how much one is eating.
5. Feeling disgusted with oneself or depressed or guilty after a binge eating episode.

Binge eating typically begins in the teen years or twenties but treatment is not usually sought until a person's thirties. Two short-term focus group treatments give hope to those who have the problem of binge eating. One treatment is called cognitive behavioral therapy and focuses on changing distorted images toward eating, body shape and weight and normalizing eating behaviors.

The other treatment is called interpersonal psychotherapy and stresses the connection between negative moods, low self-esteem, traumatic life events and eating behaviors. The focus is on improving these areas in a person's life.

Reductions in binge eating in people completing these treatments were maintained at 6 months and 1 year followups. Weight loss does occur in these individuals. Treatments were equally effective.