Binge Eating Disorder (cont.)
What causes binge eating disorder?
No one knows for sure what causes binge eating disorder. As many as half of
all people with binge eating disorder are depressed or have been depressed in
the past. Whether depression causes binge eating disorder or whether binge
eating disorder causes depression is not known.
It is also unclear if dieting and binge eating are related. Some people binge
eat after dieting. Dieting here means skipping meals, not eating enough food
each day, or avoiding certain kinds of food. These are unhealthy ways to try to
change your body shape and weight.
Studies suggest that people with binge eating may have trouble handling some
of their emotions. Many people who are binge eaters say that being angry, sad,
bored, worried, or stressed can cause them to binge eat.
Certain behaviors and emotional problems are more common in people with binge
eating disorder. These include abusing alcohol, acting quickly without thinking
(impulsive behavior), not feeling in charge of themselves, not feeling a part of
their communities, and not noticing and talking about their feelings.
Researchers are looking into how brain chemicals and metabolism (the way the
body uses calories) affect binge eating disorder. Other research suggests that
genes may be involved in binge eating, since the disorder often occurs in
several members of the same family. This research is still in the early stages.
What are the complications of binge eating disorder?
People with binge eating disorder are usually very upset by their binge
eating and may become depressed. Research has shown that people with binge
eating disorder report more health problems, stress, trouble sleeping, and
suicidal thoughts than people without an eating disorder do. People with
binge eating disorder often feel bad about themselves and may miss work,
school, or social activities to binge eat.
People with binge eating disorder may gain weight. Weight gain can lead
to obesity, and obesity puts people at risk for many health problems,
including
Most people who binge eat, whether they are obese or not, feel ashamed and
try to hide their problem. Often they become so good at hiding it that even
close friends and family members do not know they binge eat.
Next: Should people with binge eating disorder try to lose weight? »
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