Disorder Binge Eating

Officially recognized as a disorder binge eating is something we are all guilty of from time to time, but for some people it has become such a problem that it is affecting their health and well-being.

How can you tell if your binge eating has become a problem? If you overeat on a regular basis, including at times when you are not hungry and you feel that you cannot control your eating habits, you are possibly suffering from binge eating disorder. This is likely to be accompanied by feelings of guilt and shame and self-consciousness when you have to eat in the presence of other people.

Bulimia also involves binge eating, but sufferers of this disorder also make themselves sick, take laxatives or over-exercise in an attempt to undo the likelihood of weight gain

Why do so many people overeat? Food has become a very complex part of our lives. We no long have to hunt to get it and we live in a society where it is freely available twenty four hours a day. In fact, we are exposed to food advertisements constantly - in magazines, on TV and on billboards.

We are given mixed messages about food - it was often used as a reward when we were children and so we have a tendency to use it for comfort. But we are also bombarded with articles and photos of celebrities who are slim and attractive and the bookshops are full of books on dieting and weight loss. Despite all this, we are getting fatter, with about 50% of the US and UK population weighing in as overweight or obese. It is hardly surprising that the disorder is on the increase, but what can you do to stop binge eating?

The articles on this site are for information only and should not replace medical advice.

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