Binge Eating Disorder is a relatively newly recognized eating disorder characterized by frequent episodes of uncontrolled eating of large amounts of food. Researchers are just beginning to understand the causes and health consequences of binge eating disorder.

• Frequent episodesof eating large quantities of food in short periods of time often secretly, without regard to feelings of "hunger" or "fullness."
• Frequent feelings of being "out of control" during binges.
• Eating large quantities of food rapidly, without really tasting the food.
• Eating alone.
• Feelings of shame, disgust, or guilt after a binge.

• The prevalence of binge eating disorder in the general population is still being researched. Researchers estimate that approximately 25% of obese individuals suffer from frequent episodes of binge eating (Fariburn, 1998).
• Binge eating disorder does affect women slightly more often than men--estimates indicate that about 40% of people struggling with binge eating disorder are males (NIH, 1993).
• People who struggle with binge eating disorder can be of normal or heavier than normal weight.
• Many people who suffer from binge eating disorder have a history of depression (NIH, 1993).
• People struggling with binge eating disorder often express distress, shame, and guilt over their eating behaviors.

Binge eating disorder often results in some of the health risks associated with clinical obesity.  Some of the potential health consequences of binge eating disorder include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Heart disease as a result of elevated triglyceride levels
• Secondary diabetes
• Gallbladder disease