Binge eating disorder: Overview

What is binge eating disorder?

Binge eating disorder (BED) is an eating disorder where the person has recurring episodes of binge eating. Binge eating is when someone eats much more than most people would in a short period of time, whether they are hungry or not, and feels guilty or ashamed. The eating occurs at least one day a week for three months. The binge eating is not associated with behaviours such as self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, fasting or excessive exercise. With treatment, people with BED can get better.

Is binge eating the same as overeating?

No, binge eating is different from overeating.

Overeating is consuming more food than your body needs at a given time, such as having a second serving of dessert after a full meal because the food is available and very appealing. Most people overeat from time to time. This is normal.

Binge eating is much less common and is marked by psychological distress. A binge eating episode involves:

• eating an amount of food that is larger than what most people would eat in the same situation
• feeling out of control regarding what and how much is eaten and when to stop

Although binge eating can be associated with several different medical conditions, BED is a particular mental health condition that involves psychological distress associated with binge episodes. Many individuals with BED may have struggled with dieting before their binge episodes began.

Someone who has BED does not compensate for the binges by purging or exercising. Unlike BED, compensation is seen in bulimia nervosa.

What causes binge eating disorder?

The exact causes of BED are unknown, but a number of factors are associated with the condition.

Social factors

Some studies have shown that social pressures or messages to be thin can contribute to emotional eating.

Psychological factors

Emotional eating, poor self-esteem and body dissatisfaction are all associated with BED. It is unclear if these activities or feelings cause BED, but someone who starts to diet to manage these feelings may be at risk of developing BED.

Teens who struggle with depression or anxiety may also be at increased risk of developing BED.

Genetics

A family history of eating disorders may make someone more vulnerable to developing BED.

Who is affected by binge eating disorder?

Binge eating most commonly starts in a person's late teens or early adulthood. It usually follows a period of extreme dieting or weight loss.

Psychiatric disorders that are often linked with BED include:

• depression
• bipolar disorder
• anxiety​
  
• substance use disorders

Further information

For more information on binge eating disorder (BED), please see the following pages:

BED: Signs and symptoms

Obesity: Medical complications

BED: How to help your child at home

Please visit our teen mental health hub for teen-specific resources on binge eating disorder (BED).

Resources

NEDIC – National Eating Disorder Information Centre (Canada)

NEDA – National Eating Disorder Association (United States)

American Academy of Pediatrics – ​Eating Disorders in Children ​

BEAT – Beating Eating Disorders (United Kingdom)

Kelty Eating Disorders​ (Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre, BC Children's Hospital)

Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario – Eating Disorders​