Obesity and Binge Eating Disorder

A. Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following:
(1) eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g., within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat in a similar period of time under similar circumstances.
(2) a sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g., a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating)

B. The binge-eating episodes are associated with three (or more) of the following:
(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, depressed, or very guilty after overeating

C. Marked distress regarding the binge eating.

D. The binge eating occurs, on average, at least 2 days a week for 6 months.

E. The binge eating is not associated with the regular use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors (e.g., purging, fasting, excessive exercise) and does not occur exclusively during the course of Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa.

Binge eating disorder is associated with obesity. Over 30% of individuals seeking medical treatment for obesity and (in some surveys) up to 50% of individuals being seen in non-medical weight reduction programs meet diagnostic criteria for binge eating disorder. Binge eating disorder is also frequently (50% of the time) associated with major depression. Binge episodes may result from any number of factors but are frequently set-off by stressful situations and will most commonly occur in the late afternoon or evening.

It is important to screen for binge eating disorder since treatment of this disorder may take precedence over treatment of the obesity.   Some studies, however, suggest that the obesity and binge eating disorder can be treated concurrently. Treatment of this disorder generally includes both medication (usually a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor type of antidepressant even when depression is not present) combined with cognitive behavioral therapy performed by a licensed clinician.

Although you may have suffered with this disorder for years and you may feel alone, you are not. Treatment is generally very helpful in reducing or eliminating the binge eating episodes.

Last modified: August 2001.

Copyright © 1996 -2001 Michael D. Myers M.D. Inc.
All rights reserved.