WELLESS AND LIFESTYLE

CIA 3

BINGE EATING DISORDER

TEAM MEMBERS:

Kankhita Mukherjee – 2222222

Diva Kaur Grewal – 2222218

Prathiba S – 2222243

Tanya Agarwal – 2222269

Vanishree S – 2222270

WHAT IS BINGE EATING DISORDER?

Binge-eating disorder is a serious eating disorder in which you frequently consume unusually
large amounts of food and feel unable to stop eating.

Almost everyone overeats on occasion, such as having seconds or thirds of a holiday meal. But
for some people, excessive overeating that feels out of control and becomes a regular occurrence
crosses the line to binge-eating disorder.

SYMPTOMS

Most people with binge-eating disorder are overweight or obese, but you may be at a normal
weight. Behavioral and emotional signs and symptoms of binge-eating disorder include:

1. Eating unusually large amounts of food in a specific amount of time, such as over a two-
hour period
2. Feeling that you're eating behavior is out of control
3. Eating even when you're full or not hungry
4. Eating rapidly during binge episodes
 5. Eating until you're uncomfortably full
6. Frequently eating alone or in secret
7. Feeling depressed, disgusted, ashamed, guilty or upset about your eating
8. Frequently dieting, possibly without weight loss

Causes

The causes of binge-eating disorder are unknown. But genetics, biological factors, long-term
dieting and psychological issues increase your risk.

Risk factors

Binge-eating disorder is more common in women than in men. Although people of any age can
have binge-eating disorder, it often begins in the late teens or early 20s.

Factors that can increase your risk of developing binge-eating disorder include:

 Family history. You're much more likely to have an eating disorder if your parents or
siblings have (or had) an eating disorder. This may indicate that inherited genes increase
the risk of developing an eating disorder.
 Dieting. Many people with binge-eating disorder have a history of dieting. Dieting or
restricting calories during the day may trigger an urge to binge eat, especially if you have
symptoms of depression.
 Psychological issues. Many people who have binge-eating disorder feel negatively about
themselves and their skills and accomplishments. Triggers for bingeing can include
stress, poor body self-image and the availability of preferred binge foods.

Complications

You may develop psychological and physical problems related to binge eating.

Complications that may be caused by binge-eating disorder include:

 Poor quality of life

 Problems functioning at work, with your personal life or in social situations
 Social isolation
  Obesity
 Medical conditions related to obesity, such as joint problems, heart disease, type 2
diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and some sleep-related breathing
disorders

Psychiatric disorders that are often linked with binge-eating disorder include:

 Depression
 Bipolar disorder
 Anxiety
 Substance use disorders

Ways to prevent binge eating disorder

Although it might not be possible to prevent all cases of binge eating disorder, it is helpful to
begin treatment as soon as symptoms start. In addition, teaching and encouraging healthy eating
habits and realistic attitudes about food and body image might be helpful in preventing the
development or worsening of eating disorders.

Some of the ways in which this disorder can prevented are:

1. Ditch the diet

Fad diets can often be very unhealthy, and studies show that overly restrictive eating methods
may trigger episodes of binge eating.

Instead of following diets that focus on cutting out entire food groups or significantly slashing
calorie intake to lose weight quickly, focus on making healthy changes.

2. Avoid skipping meals

Setting a regular eating schedule and sticking to it is one of the most effective ways to prevent
binge eating.

3. Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is a practice that involves listening to your body and paying attention to how you
feel at the moment.
This technique can prevent overeating by helping a person learn to recognize when they no
longer feel hungry.

4. Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is a simple yet effective way to prevent binge eating
disorder

In fact, studies show that increasing water intake could be linked to decreased hunger and calorie
intake.

TREATMENT

The treatment plan for BED depends on the causes and severity of the eating disorder, as well as
individual goals.

Treatment may target binge eating behaviors, excess weight, body image, mental health issues,
or a combination of these.

Therapy options include cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, dialectical

behavior therapy, weight loss therapy, and medication. These may be carried out on a one-to-one
basis, in a group setting, or in a self-help format.

In some people, just one type of therapy may be required, while others may need to try different
combinations until they find the right fit.

A medical or mental health professional can provide advice on selecting an individual treatment
plan.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

CBT for BED focuses on analyzing the relationships between negative thoughts, feelings, and
behaviors related to eating, body shape, and weight. Once the causes of negative emotions and
patterns have been identified, strategies can be developed to help people change them. Specific
interventions include setting goals, self-monitoring, achieving regular meal patterns, changing
thoughts about self and weight, and encouraging healthy weight-control.

Interpersonal psychotherapy
IPT is based on the idea that binge eating is a coping mechanism for unresolved personal
problems such as grief, relationship conflicts, significant life changes, or underlying social
problems. The goal is to identify the specific problem linked to the negative eating behavior,
acknowledge it, and then make constructive changes over 12–16 weeks.

Dialectical behavior therapy

DBT views binge eating as an emotional reaction to negative experiences that the person has no
other way of coping. It teaches people to regulate their emotional responses so that they can cope
with negative situations in daily life without binging. The four key areas of treatment in DBT are
mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Weight loss therapy

Behavioral weight loss therapy aims to help people lose weight, which may reduce binge eating
behavior by improving self-esteem and body image. The intent is to make gradual healthy
lifestyle changes in regards to diet and exercise, as well as monitor food intake and thoughts
about food throughout the day. While weight loss therapy may help improve body image and
reduce weight and the health risks associated with obesity, it has not been shown to be as
effective as CBT or IPT at stopping binge eating.

Medications

Several medications have been found to treat binge eating and are often cheaper and faster than
traditional therapy. However, no current medications are as effective at treating BED as
behavioral therapies. Available treatments include antidepressants, antiepileptic drugs like
topiramate, and drugs traditionally used for hyperactive disorders, such as lisdexamfetamine.

Research has found that medications have an advantage over a placebo for the short-term
reduction of binge eating. They may also reduce appetite, obsessions, compulsions, and
symptoms of depression.

Although these effects sound promising, most studies have been conducted over short periods, so
data on the long-term effects is still needed.

In addition, side effects of treatment include headaches, stomach problems, sleep disturbances,
increased blood pressure, and anxiety. Because many people with BED have other mental health
conditions, such as anxiety and depression, they may also receive additional medications to treat
these.

Here are some additional helpful strategies:

 Keep a food and mood diary. Identifying personal triggers is an important step in learning
how to control binge impulses.
 Practice mindfulness. This can help increase awareness of binging triggers while helping
increase self-control and maintaining self-acceptance (31Trusted Source, 32Trusted
Source, 33Trusted Source).
 Find someone to talk to. It is important to have support, whether it is through a partner,
family, a friend, binge eating support groups, or online (34Trusted Source).
 Choose healthy foods. A diet consisting of foods high in protein and healthy fats, regular
meals, and whole foods will help satisfy hunger and provide needed nutrients.
 Start exercising. Exercise can help enhance weight loss, improve body image, reduce
anxiety symptoms, and boost mood (35Trusted Source, 36).
 Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep is associated with higher calorie intake and irregular
eating patterns. It’s recommended to get at least 7–8 hours of good sleep per night.

Questionnaire for interview:

1. How often do you experience binge eating episodes?

2. Do you eat until you feel physically sick?
3. Do you often eat alone? If so, how of often?
4. Does it feel impossible to eat when you feel hungry, or to regulate how much you eat?
5. Do you eat unusually large amounts of food over a certain period of time like over a two-
hour period?
6. Do you eat even when you are not actually hungry?
7. Do you feel out of control when you are eating?
8. Do you eat in secret? And hide it from family and friends?
9. Does that overeating episode usually follow worries, stress, or to comfort yourself?
10. Do you feel guilty or ashamed after eating?