What is Binge Eating and Binge Eating Disorder?

Written by Allison Easton, RD

What is Binge Eating?

It is not unusual to hear people use the word ‘binge’ when talking about food.  The term has become quite commonplace, and often used out of true context.  Though people may use the term ‘binge’ interchangeably with ‘overeating’, they are very different experiences.  Overeating can be associated with having an additional helping of food when already feeling full, or eating more than usual during a celebration or holiday meal.  Binge eating and binge eating disorder have specific criteria which distinguish them from overeating.

What is Binge Eating Disorder?

Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurring episodes of binge eating, where someone eats a large quantity of food in a short period of time, loses a sense of control over how much or what is consumed, and feels shame or guilt around their behavior.

Binge eating disorder is a serious and treatable mental health condition.  Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder diagnosis; it impacts men and women almost equally; and can impact people of all ages, however it is most prevalent among teens and adults. 

There is no single cause of an eating disorder. Rather, it is a complex combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that trigger an individual’s predisposed genetic vulnerability. 

What are the risk factors for Binge Eating Disorder?

Risk factorsfor the development of binge eating disorder may include:

• Dieting

• Diabetes

• Medical or mental health conditions

• Medications

• Traumatic experiences

• Bullying

• Neurodivergence  

What are the signs and symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder?

The emotional and behavioral signs of binge eating disorder may be¹:

• Discomfort with eating around others or in public

• Stealing or hoarding food

• Creating lifestyle changes or rituals in order to binge

• Withdrawing from friends or enjoyable hobbies

• Frequent dieting

• Extreme concern with body weight or shape

• Frequent mirror gazing or body checking

• Eating alone due to embarrassment at the amount of food being eaten

• Fluctuations in weight

• Low self-esteem

• Hiding empty wrappers or food containers 

There are physical signs of binge eating as well, including¹:

• Noticeable fluctuations in weight, whether weight gain or loss

• Stomach cramps

• Gastrointestinal issues, such as constipation or acid reflux

• Difficulty concentrating 

In 2013, diagnostic criteria were developed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).  This means binge eating disorder is recognized as a diagnosis rather than a symptom.  It is very important to know that individuals do not need to have a diagnosis or meet diagnostic criteria to be suffering and worthy of support.  Diagnostic criteria can support insurance coverage for treatment in some countries, can help to standardize care/medical management and can offer more opportunity for research. 

What is the diagnostic criteria for Binge Eating Disorder?

Criterion 1:

Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following:

1. Eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g., within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat in a similar period of time under similar circumstances

2. The sense of lack of control overeating during the episode (e.g., a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating)

Criterion 2:

1. Binge-eating episodes are associated with three (or more) of the following:

2. Eating much more rapidly than normal

3. Eating until feeling uncomfortably full

4. Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry

5. Eating alone because of being embarrassed by how much one is eating

6. Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty after overeating 

Criterion 3:

Marked distress regarding binge eating is present. 

Criterion 4:

The binge eating occurs, on average,

1. at least 2 days a week for 6 months (DSM-IV frequency and duration criteria)

2. at least 1 day a week for 3 months (DSM-5 frequency and duration criteria)

Criterion 5:

Binge eating is not associated with the regular use of inappropriate compensatory behavior (e.g., purging, fasting, excessive exercise) and does not occur exclusively during the course of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. 

Binge eating disorder is more than a struggle with food. It is a complex condition that can negatively impact quality of life – physically, emotionally, socially and occupationally.  

Healing and recovery is possible.  Our relationship with food is intricate and has many layers.  Working toward a more supportive relationship with food requires a deep dive into the layers of that relationship, and doing so in isolation can be limiting. 

At The Nourish Collective, we support folks with binge eating and binge eating disorder in building a more peaceful, sustainable relationship with food through weight-inclusive, trauma-informed nutrition care. 

[1] National Eating Disorders Association. (n.d). Binge eating disorder https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/bed

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