What are the causes of binge eating disorder?

Binge eating disorder (BED) is defined as recurrent episodes of eating significantly more food in a short period of time than most people would eat under similar circumstances, accompanied by a feeling of loss of control over eating behavior. A key feature of BED is that the individual feels that their eating behavior is out of control. Binge eating episodes are associated with three or more of the following: eating much more rapidly than normal, eating until feeling uncomfortably full, eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry, eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much one is eating, and feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty afterwards. Binge eating episodes occur, on average, at least once a week for 3 months.

Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States. The disorder is more common in women than in men, and typically develops in adolescence or young adulthood. However, the disorder can develop at any age.

The precise cause of binge eating disorder is not known. However, a number of factors appear to contribute to the development of the disorder. These include:

Genetic factors: Binge eating disorder is more common in people who have family members with the disorder.

Psychological factors: People with binge eating disorder often have negative feelings about themselves and their bodies. They may feel that they are not good enough or that they do not deserve to be thin. They may also use food to cope with emotional problems.

Environmental factors: People with binge eating disorder often have a history of dieting. They may have been teased or ridiculed about their weight when they were younger. They may also have experienced a major life stressor, such as the death of a loved one..Click here to find out more

How is binge eating disorder diagnosed?

Binge eating disorder is not currently recognized as a distinct eating disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). However, it is considered a subtype of Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED), which is characterized by recurrent eating disorder behaviors that do not meet the criteria for any specific eating disorder. The DSM-5 criteria for binge eating disorder are as follows:

1. Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is defined as eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g., within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than what most people would eat in a similar period of time under similar circumstances.

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

3. Marked distress regarding binge eating is present.

4. The binge eating episodes are not associated with the recurrent use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors (e.g., purging) as in bulimia nervosa and are not better explained by another mental disorder (e.g., repetition of obsessive thoughts about food or food-related rituals as in obsessive-compulsive disorder).

While the exact cause of binge eating disorder is unknown, there are several possible factors that may contribute to its development, including psychological factors (e.g., low self-esteem, negative body image, emotions such as anxiety, depression, or boredom), social factors (e.g., peer pressure, family conflict), and biological factors (e.g., certain brain chemicals or hormones).

There is no one specific test or sign that can be used to diagnose binge eating disorder. Instead, diagnosis is based on a comprehensive assessment that includes a medical history, physical examination, psychological evaluation, and, sometimes, laboratory tests. The assessment can be conducted by a primary care doctor, a mental health professional (e.g., a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker), or a team of health professionals.

The first step in the diagnosis of binge eating disorder is a thorough medical evaluation to rule out any physical disorders that may be causing or contributing to the binge eating episodes. If no physical cause is found, a psychological evaluation is conducted. During the psychological evaluation, the individual is asked about his or her eating habits, feelings and thoughts about food and eating, weight, and general psychological well-being. The individual is also asked about any family history of eating disorders or other mental disorders.

The final step in the diagnosis of binge eating disorder is a clinical judgment made by the health professional(s) conducting the assessment. This judgment is based on all of the information gathered during the medical and psychological evaluation and includes a determination of whether the individual meets the DSM-5 criteria for binge eating disorder.

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