Understanding Binge Eating Disorder: Your Path to Recovery

This blog will help you understand the difference between overeating, emotional eating, binge eating, and binge eating disorder (BED). It examines risk factors and common misconceptions surrounding BED, to help you better understand the disorder and your path to recovery.

Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. The content in this blog is for informational purposes only.

What is Binge Eating Disorder?

Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder diagnosed globally. It is characterized by eating large volumes of food, accompanied by a feeling of loss of control and distressing emotions, such as guilt and shame. Oftentimes, binges occur over a short period, at a rapid pace. Some people describe these episodes as “blackouts” and may not remember the details. Alternatively, some binges may be spread across an entire day, with an out-of-control feeling each time. If you have experienced binge eating, it does not necessarily mean you have BED. To meet criteria for BED, the binge episodes need to occur at least once per week for several months. Another defining feature is that individuals with BED do not engage in compensatory behaviours associated with other eating disorders, such as over-exercising or purging, to "make up for" a binge.

Binges can be separated into subjective and objective binges. An objective binge is where a large volume of food is eaten, loss of control is felt, and distressing emotions follow. A subjective binge is where the volume of food is not large, however, a food rule is broken, loss of control is felt, and distressing emotions follow. 

Having a bowl of ice-cream to self-soothe after a tough day is not disordered. Distressing thoughts and feelings around the bowl of ice-cream can lead to disordered thinking and behaviors. It is the repeated pattern of feeling out of control around food and experiencing guilt/shame that separates binge eating disorder from overeating or emotional eating. Eating has psychological and social elements; we use food to connect, celebrate, comfort ourselves and so much more. These are all important aspects of a healthy relationship with food. There is nothing wrong with allowing food to be a source of comfort.

Risk Factors for Binge Eating

The biggest risk factor for BED is chronic dieting and restrictive eating. A biological component of BED is rooted in not meeting your body’s needs regularly. For example, undereating through the day results in blood sugar dipping low, which throws your body out of balance. Over time, this causes a hormonal shift: an increase in the hunger hormone, Ghrelin, and the “carbohydrate craver”, Neuropeptide-Y, with a decrease in the fullness hormone, Leptin. This shift causes a strong biological drive for rich food and a decreased sensation of fullness. This biological response to food restriction occurs in bodies of ALL shapes and sizes. Individuals who are susceptible to binge eating disorder, often have a stronger expression of this gene. This means they have an increased sensitivity to food restriction, resulting in an even stronger biological response to binge.

This biological response doesn’t occur right away, it slowly accumulates when you're in periods of food restriction. The greater the food restriction, the stronger the drive to binge. Eventually, the hormonal shift will erupt, resulting in an “out of control” feeling and a binge occurs. The binge is followed by guilt and shame, which trigger more food restriction and the cycle continues. 

There are also several psychological factors, including all-or-nothing thinking, for example, "I already ruined my diet by eating this cookie, I might as well eat the whole box". Making foods off-limits is another risk factor. Restriction equals attraction; the more we tell ourselves we are not allowed to have something, the more an urge develops. Emotional triggers can contribute to an increased risk of binge eating as well. These triggers are typically much easier to identify and manage once the body’s physical needs are met.

Takeaways

If there’s anything to take away from this, it’s that BED has strong biological, psychological, and emotional components. It is NOT a “lack of willpower” or “food addiction”. The good news is, BED is completely treatable and has high success rates in recovery. The first step to recovery is developing a consistent eating pattern with the help of a Registered Dietitian trained in binge-eating disorder treatment. 

Written by: Mackenzie Michalczuk, RD, CDE

References

Davis, H. A., Graham, A. K., & Wildes, J. E. (2020). Overview of binge eating disorder. Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports, 14, 1-10.

Giel, K. E., Bulik, C. M., Fernandez-Aranda, F., Hay, P., Keski-Rahkonen, A., Schag, K., ... & Zipfel, S. (2022). Binge eating disorder. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 8(1), 16.

Gianini, L. M., White, M. A., & Masheb, R. M. (2013). Eating pathology, emotion regulation, and emotional overeating in obese adults with binge eating disorder. Eating behaviors, 14(3), 309-313.