Binge eating most common eating disorder in U.S.

By Sarah Pittman
The Collegian

When most people hear the words “eating disorder” they might think of Nicole Richie or a made-for-TV movie about the ballet dancer who forces herself to throw up to maintain her weight.

The results from a national survey on eating disorders might surprise people, as frequent binge eating is the country’s most common eating disorder, affecting more than twice the percentage of individuals who suffer from anorexia and bulimia combined.

Binge eating is defined by the survey as extreme, uncontrollable overeating that happens at least twice a week.

“There’s been more awareness [of anorexia and bulimia] because it’s more dramatic. There’s been celebrities who have had anorexia so that has given it media coverage,” Gena Gechter, the coordinator of psychological services at Health and Psychology Services at Fresno State, said.

The study, published Feb. 1 in the medical journal Biological Psychiatry, was conducted by psychiatric researchers at the Harvard Medical School and its affiliate McLean Psychiatric Hospital. The study is being referred to as the “first national census of eating disorders.”

As reported in The Associated Press’ article “Binge eating common in the U.S.,” the study found that binge eating affects 3.5 percent of women and 2 percent of men.

The study was comprised of interviews with more than 9,000 individuals from across the country from 2001 to 2003 focusing on eating habits and psychological backgrounds.

Fewer than 1 percent of women and 0.3 percent of men suffer from anorexia, a disorder characterized by a distorted view of one’s body and weight and under-eating. Bulimia is a disorder similar to binge eating, but followed by a purging of the excess food either though excess exercise, vomiting or the use of laxatives. The study found the disorder affects 1.5 percent of women and 0.5 percent of men.

Gechter said people who suffer from binge eating don’t typically binge during normal meal times but plan their binge eating.

“They often do it alone when nobody is watching them. A lot of binge eating is a private activity,” Gechter said. “It’s a feeling of being unsatisfied.”

Gechter said the feeling of being unsatisfied is one characteristic that separates the disorder from just overeating at dinner time. She explained that usually when individuals overeat at dinner they will feel full and might regret eating so much but someone who binges feels like they can’t stop eating.

“It’s an abnormally large amount of food. It’s a sense of loss of control,” Stephanie Morris, the licensed nutritionist at Fresno State, said.

Some of the risks associated with binge eating include weight gain and a severe risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain cancers. Gechter said binge eating may also lead to bulimia.

The study found eating disorders are caused by a combination of our culture’s glorification of thin celebrities, fast-food advertising and genetic predisposition. Mood disorders often go hand-in-hand with eating disorders.

“There’s the phrase ‘stuffing your feelings.’ Some people eat when they’re upset or angry. Others might eat when they’re lonely or bored,” Gechter said.

Morris agreed and said binge eating may be caused by depression, anxiety or stress. She said the disorder may surface because of previous trauma or abuse in one’s background and may be used as a coping mechanism.

“Often they do it to make themselves feel better. It does something for them psychologically,” Morris said.

To overcome binge eating or another eating disorder it is recommended that one seek professional help through psychological and nutritional counseling.

Help is available to students at the University Health and Psychological Services Center.

Comment on this story in the News forum >>