Binge Eating

Concern with weight and body image is a widespread preoccupation for many Americans. In a study of college students 74.4 percent of normal weight woman and 46 percent of normal weight men said they thought about their weight or appearance "all the time" or "frequently" ("Body Image," 2012).

The researchers used the Body Mass Index (BMI) categories to classify participants in the study. The study used a two part, multi-variable model, adjusted for age, gender, race, income, education level, and type of health insurance, marital and smoking status (Arterburn, Maciejewski & Tsevat). The results of the survey are as follows:

Many people are unaware of the background of eating disorders. Women are more likely than men to develop an eating disorder and they usually develop in childhood before the age of 20 (Ross-Flanigan 1). Women as well as men can develop an eating disorder; it is just more likely for a woman to develop one. Eating disorders are usually developed in adolescent or childhood years when a person is influenced the most. Also “Eating disorders are psychological conditions that involve overeating, voluntary starvation, or both. Anorexia nervosa, anorexic bulimia, and binge eating are the most well-known types of eating disorders” (Ross-Flanigan 1). Many people assume that an eating disorder is when a person staves themselves; they do not realize that it can involve overeating as well. Some eating disorders also involve purging, but not all. People with an eating disorder fear gaining weight even when they are severely underweight. They do not lack an appetite (Ross-Flanigan 1). These people are

“During an average binge, you may consume from 3,000 to 5,000 calories in one short hour. After it ends, panic sets in and you turn to drastic measures to “undo” the binge, such as taking ex-lax, inducing vomiting, or going for a ten-mile run. And all the while, you feel increasingly out of control” (Smith, Melinda. Bulimia). The final eating disorder discussed in this paper is binge eating. Binge eating disorder is known as overeating or a period of uncontrollable eating. Binge eating is becoming more and more common here in america because of the large quantities of food sold daily. Although, binge eaters do not purge after eating, they still feel shame or guilt after eating like a bulimic (Anorexia, Nervosa).

It was originally considered that, like bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa, binge-eating disorders occurred in females at a rate of 10 to 1 (Striegel-Moore and Franko, 2003). But studies have shown that a significant portion of men have binge-eating disorder as well ( Early trials showed that although the samples were not separated for race or gender, it became evident that binge-eating disorder affected both differing races and genders in similar ways. These studies lead to the first “large-scale surveys to examine eating disorders in male and non-White populations” (Striegel-Moore and Franko, 2003, p. S22). Studies have shown that “approximately 29% of subjects in weight control programs met the criteria for [binge-eating disorder],” (Spitzer, Yanovski, Wadden, Wing, Marcus. Stunkard, Devlin, Mitchell, Hasin, & Horne, 1992, p. 137). Possible risk factors for binge-eating disorder are still largely unknown at this time (Striegel-Moore and Franko, 2003), although some similarities amongst clients have been identified. These include: preoccupation with body image and weight, impairment in social functioning, significant time of adult life spent dieting, and a history of mental health concerns including alcoholism, depression, and anxiety (Spitzer et al., 1992).

Based on background information, a central hypothesis was developed that obesity is an ongoing, gendered and embodied cultural process that has harmful consequences for the obese individual (e.g. Harjunen, 2002&2003). The various social implications of obesity will be explored via interviews (with obese people or former obese people) conducted and the surveys taken of people in the Boston area.

The results of this study indicated a low effect size for all studies. The participants who were shown pictures in the media of thin models tended to think there was something wrong with their body weight. Other participants who viewed models who were overweight tended to have a positive outlook on their body image. Another study that was conducted by Han, 2003 looked at female Korean college students and the way in which media exposure affected the way they perceive body image. This experiment was conducted by using 42 college female college students who were exposed to images of thin models in magazine ads. After viewing the images for about 5 minutes the women were then asked to fill out a questionnaire. This questionnaire was built to see their indication on body dissatisfaction and eating disturbance based upon the pictures that were shown. Then an upward comparison was used to see whether they agreed or disagreed with the images of the models shown. As these results stated the females that were exposed to the pictures of the thin models showed a higher level of upward comparison then those who were not shown the models. Participants in the experimental group also perceived the thin models to be more practical than those who were participants of the control group. A second part of this experiment used 75 female college

Those who suffer from binge eating disorder may have a problem with obesity. Even if patients with binge eating disorders are not obese They are usually in poor health. According to the article Medical morbidity in binge eating disorder, patients with (BED) Have "poorer functioning and lower scores on all six scales of the General Health Survey." (Bulik & Kjennerud, 2003). Research proves that Low scores on the general health survey leads to an "increased prevalence of joint pain, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, menstrual problems, shortness of breath, chest pain, and Type II diabetes (Bulik & Kjennerud, 2003) Bingers have been known to suffer from sleeping problems;. in fact Statistics show that people with (BED) “are Seven times more likely to experience sleeping difficulties than those without binge-eating disorder” (Bulik & Kjennerud, 2003). A study from the article Patterns of food selection during binges in women with binges eating disorder, has proven people with binge-eating disorder "consume significantly more meat than (those) without

Based on the information provided within the case study, Andrea Simpson meets the diagnostic criteria for Binge-Eating Disorder (307.51/F50.8). First, her excessive eating is described as “uncontrollable binge-eating” where she goes on sprees of over eating. These binge-eating moments would occur throughout the day and she would often eat, even after meals, until she felt physically uncomfortable. For example, she described a period of overeating as she often ate big breakfasts that would include several eggs with cheese, two to three slices of toast, and two large glasses of juice. This episodic overeating occurred for years and fits criteria A of B.E.D found within the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5, 2013).

It is now defined as “Recurring episodes of eating significantly more food in a short period of time than most people would eat under similar circumstances, with episodes marked by feelings of lack of control.… The person may have feelings of guilt, embarrassment, or disgust and may binge eat alone to hide the behavior”. It is important to note that there is a difference between over-eating and binge-eating, while over-eating is a recognizable problem for many people, “binge-eating is much less common, far more severe, and associated with significant physiological and psychological problems” (DSM 5). Binge Eating Disorder is similar to Bulimia Nervosa in that we see episodes of eating large amounts of food, the difference being that there is no purging after the binging episode. It is seen highly among obese patients, but, perhaps due to a reluctance to relate obesity with an eating disorder, it was not recognized as distinct from Bulimia Nervosa until the early 1990s (Gordon, 2000).

Recurring studies state that child sexual abuse is more strongly associated with bulimic disorders than restricting anorexia; however, it is not linked with the severity of the disturbance. While the regulation of eating patterns is a form of control, the individual becomes consumed and co-dependent by thoughts of food. Therefore, binges occur in response to acute changes in mood and temporarily distract patients from stressful life events. Binge eating behaviour is a form of passive processing, a stimulus-controlled activation of a cognitive structure that is uncontrollable (Stein, 1996). Survivors of sexual abuse often blame themselves for not stopping the abuse and thus, they obsess over of because it is easily accessible and controllable.

In our Western society, we have several different types of eating dysfunction, all of which are unique and tragic in their own right. Despite their individuality, however, they all have several overlapping symptoms that are key to their classification and severity. For Bulimia Nervosa (BN) and Binge Eating Disorder (BED), one of the core features is binge eating, which can be defined objectively by number of calories eaten in a given time or subjectively by the feelings of the binger. Binge eating has many different aspects that are of interest to scientists and clinicians alike. One of those interests has to do with the reduction of this symptom among populations being treated for their respective disorder. Because both

The question and area of interested examined was the behavioral aspects of individuals who suffer from Binge Eating Disorder and the concurrence of food addiction characteristics. The participants were obese and looking to lose weight and the average age was about 48. Additionally, the average BMI was about 41.

Binge eating disorder, also known as BED or compulsive overeating, is a serious disorder that is characterized by a recurrent, irresistible urge to overindulge or binge on food even when you are painfully full. We reveal how and why it becomes a problem, and what you can do about it.

Eating habits are closely associated with our perception of eating. There can be also exogenous factors that affects our eating habits such as getting low mark from the exam or ending of a romantic relationship. Some people tend to be eat more or less depends on these triggering situations. This study will examine the relationship between stress and eating disorder among üniversity students. (They will not be clinically diagnosed) Eating disorders will be measured by using Eating Attitudes Test and stress level will be measured by using Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale. Data will be collected from 100 male and female university students in a campus setting and via e-mail. It is expected that students who have high stress level tend to have disturbed attitude toward eating which may leads to eating disorder. It is not a cause and effect relationship ,but Eating Attitudes Test will reflect students ' tendency to have eating disorder. Also, abnormal eating patterns will be included in this article such as bulimia, binge eating and anorexia.