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

Binge Eating Disorder has several primary symptoms:

• Eating large quantities of food in short periods of time, often secretly, without regard to feelings of "hunger" or "fullness," and to the point of feeling "out of control" while eating.
• 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.

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

• The prevalence of binge eating disorder in the general population is still being determined. Researchers estimate that approximately 25% of obese individuals suffer from frequent episodes of binge eating (Fairburn, 1998).
• Binge eating disorder affects women slightly more often than men--estimates indicate that about 60% of people struggling with binge eating disorder are female, 40% are male (NIH, 1993).
• People who struggle with binge eating disorder can be of normal or heavier than average 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.