Binge Eating Disorder Explained
Binge Eating Disorder, or BED for short, is more than binge eating or overeating. BED was first classified as an eating disorder in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) in 2013, but it is by no means a new eating disorder. In fact, it is the most common eating disorder, despite it being lesser known. Binge eating disorder is not a lack of willpower or a phase, and like any other eating disorder, it can impact people of any age, race, or gender.
Binge Eating Disorder is defined by recurrent episodes of binge eating. “Binge eating” is characterized by both eating in a relatively short time period (usually 2 hours or under) and eating a relatively larger amount of food than what most people would eat in a similar timeframe. These episodes of binge eating usually involve a perceived lack of control over eating. To diagnose BED, three or more of the following must be present: eating more quickly than normal, eating until uncomfortably full, eating large amounts of food when not physically hungry, eating alone due to embarrassment, and/or feeling guilty, depressed, or disgusted after the binge. Binge Eating Disorder can be diagnosed when these episodes occur at least weekly for a period of 3 months.
Binge Eating Disorder affects 1.5-3% of both men and women worldwide (4) and while the majority of people with BED are in larger bodies, many are not. The weight stigma that persists in our society leads many providers to prescribe weight loss to people with BED in larger bodies, which only furthers their disorder. Binge Eating Disorder, like other eating disorders, involves restriction. Individuals with BED will restrict calories, food groups, or times of day that they can eat, and this restriction is followed by a binge cycle. A recommendation to go on a diet or restrict calories rather than a referral to compassionate, weight-inclusive providers, does lasting damage, and perpetuates the stigma and shame around BED. Up to 23% of individuals with BED have attempted suicide, and 94% of individuals with BED report lifetime mental health symptoms (4). Additionally, teenagers who have experienced racial discrimination are three times as likely to develop Binge Eating Disorder compared to their peers (5).
Signs and symptoms of binge eating disorder can include: eating large amounts of food in a small amount of time, feeling out of control when eating, eating despite a lack of appetite, eating rapidly, eating to the point of feeling ill, eating alone/in secret, and feeling guilty, ashamed, or disgusted after eating.
Binge Eating Disorder needs a multidisciplinary treatment team, which can include, but is not limited to, a primary care physician, a therapist, and a dietitian. Treatment will vary person to person, and depends on the severity of the eating disorder, and how long it has been going on.
While all eating disorders have physical impacts, people with binge eating disorder can develop physical problems due to their eating disorder behaviors. These include Type 2 Diabetes, metabolic syndrome, Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS, formerly PCOS), High LDL cholesterol, chronic pain especially in the neck or back, sleep problems, asthma, and gastrointestinal and cardiovascular problems. Many of these impacts can be reversed with proper treatment.
Many people with binge eating disorder, or who suspect they may have it, avoid treatment due to shame around the amounts they eat and fat stigma in the medical field for those who live in larger bodies, although there are many people with Binge Eating Disorder who exist in average size bodies. Anyone with an eating disorder deserves compassionate care, and to feel comfortable and welcomed in medical settings. The earlier the intervention and care for binge eating disorder, the better the recovery outcomes are (3). The dietitians at Namaste Nourished are eating disorder specialists, and we’ve worked with many patients with binge eating disorder. If you have concerns about yourself or a loved one, please reach out to us for support and guidance.
References
Baker Dennis, A. Binge Eating Disorder (BED). National Eating Disorders Association. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/binge-eating-disorder/
Gaudiani, Jennifer L. Sick Enough: A Guide to the Medical Complications of Eating Disorders and Undernutrition. Routledge, 2025.
Hambleton, A., Pepin, G., Le, A., Maloney, D., National Eating Disorder Research Consortium, Touyz, S., & Maguire, S. (2022). Psychiatric and medical comorbidities of eating disorders: findings from a rapid review of the literature. Journal of eating disorders, 10(1), 132. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-022-00654-2
Keski-Rahkonen A. (2021). Epidemiology of binge eating disorder: prevalence, course, comorbidity, and risk factors. Current opinion in psychiatry, 34(6), 525–531. https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000750
Raney, J. H., Al-Shoaibi, A. A., Shao, I. Y., Ganson, K. T., Testa, A., Jackson, D. B., He, J., Glidden, D. V., & Nagata, J. M. (2023). Racial discrimination is associated with binge-eating disorder in early adolescents: a cross-sectional analysis. Journal of eating disorders, 11(1), 139. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00866-0
The Emily Program. (2019, January 31). Physical Effects of Binge Eating Disorder. The Emily Program Blog. https://emilyprogram.com/blog/physical-effects-of-binge-eating-disorder/