A healthy eating plan is important for overall health. Some individuals maintain healthy eating habits, while some individuals experience eating disorders. One eating disorder is binge eating.
A binge eating disorder occurs when an individual engages in excessive eating without a healthy eating plan. Individuals with this compulsive eating disorder may ingest high calories within a short time.
Binge eating may begin slowly with an individual maintaining a healthy weight. Progressive binge eating may lead additional problems, so learning about binge eating causes, symptoms and risks is important.
Binge Eating Causes
A specific cause for binge eating has not been established. One general cause of binge eating in adulthood is having received food rewards as a child. Food patterns established as children leads to similar adult food patterns. An adult may reach for food without thinking about the consequences.
Binge Eating Behavioral Symptoms
Binge eaters may not tell others about this eating disorder. Some behavioral symptoms of a binge eating disorder can include:
- Placing food in a hidden location, which may be stored and eaten later. One common storage location is under the bed.
- Ingesting large amounts of food, which results in a chronic health pattern.
- Refusing to change food patterns, which may lead to continued unhealthy eating habits.
Binge Eating Emotional Symptoms
Emotions can play a role in excessive overeating. A person who feels lonely or sad may reach for comfort foods such as pizza and mashed potatoes. Some emotional symptoms shown include:
- Avoiding questions about food, which may lead to not accepting the importance of food.
- Experiencing shame after overeating, which may cause the binge eater to leave a restaurant quickly once the meal has been completed.
- Feeling unable to share food habits, which may lead to the person feeling that others are judging eating habits.
Binge Eating Risks
Binge eaters may experience complications from overeating. One common complication is weight gain, which may lead to obesity. Besides experience weight gain, potential physical health risks may include:
- heart disease
- gallbladder disease
- diabetes
Binge eaters who recognize the causes, symptoms and risks of their behaviour should seek a qualified health care professional. Specific medical diagnosis may include a physical examination with an eating disorder treatment. Binge patients may not experience results for months.
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Disclaimer
The information given in this article is for educational purposes only so that patients are aware of the options available. No diagnosis should be made or treatment undertaken without first consulting your doctor.
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