Binge eating is when a person eats a much larger amount of food in a shorter period of time than he or she normally would. During binge eating, the person also feels a loss of control.

Eating - binge

Binge eating may occur on its own or in the context of an eating disorder, such as bulimia. Bulimia is most common among female adolescents and young adults. People with bulimia typically eat large amounts of high-calorie foods, usually in secret. After this binge eating they often force themselves to vomit. They have feelings of guilt or depression.

Complications from long-term bulimia include:

• Abnormal increase in stomach size
• Electrolyte abnormalities
• Inflammation of the esophagus
• Inflammation of the lining of the mouth
• Inflammation of the pancreas
• Inhaling food or fluid particles
• Tooth decay

Constipation and hemorrhoids are also common in people with bulimia.

Although death from bulimia is rare, the disorder can cause health problems for years. It can be as severe as, or more severe than, anorexia nervosa.

The cause of binge eating is unknown. However, binge eating often begins during or after strict dieting.

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Binge eating Treatment

Review Date: 02/07/2010
Reviewed By: David B. Merrill, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)