One of the leading causes for
being over weight or obese is binge eating
By: James Rosenau
Binge eating is when you consume unusual
large amounts of food. You also may want to stop eating but
can not resist the urge and continue to keep eating.
Normally a person will eat 1500 calories to 3000 calories a
day. When a binge eater eats there are times when they can
consume as many as 10,000 to 20,000 calories at one time.
Binge eating is a disorder that has only recently been
getting diagnosed as an illness in fact many experts are
still trying to disclaim binge eating. However, new
estimates say now that 4% of the US population has a binge
eating disorder. They also say that girls and women are
slightly more likely to develop the disorder than boys and
men. Both children and adults can develop this disorder but
it is found most commonly in people in their 40’s and 50’s.
What Causes Binge Eating Disorder? The
causes of binge eating disorder are still unknown. Up to
half of all people with binge eating disorder have a history
of depression. Whether depression is a cause or effect of
binge eating disorder is unclear. It may be unrelated. Many
people report that anger, sadness, boredom, anxiety or other
negative emotions can trigger a binge episode. Impulsive
behavior and certain other psychological problems may be
more common in people with binge eating disorder. There are
major complications of a binge eating disorder. These
include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol
levels, gallbladder disease, heart disease, and certain
types of cancer.
How do I know if I have binge eating
disorder? Most of us overeat from time to time, and some of
us often feel we have eaten more than we should have. Eating
a lot of food does not necessarily mean that you have binge
eating disorder. Experts generally agree that most people
with serious binge eating problems often eat an unusually
large amount of food and feel their eating is out of
control. People with binge eating disorder also may:
-
eat much more quickly than usual during
binge episodes
-
eat until they are uncomfortably full
-
eat large amounts of food even when they
are not really hungry
-
eat alone because they are embarrassed
about the amount of food they eat
-
feel disgusted, depressed, or guilty after
overeating.
Binge eating also occurs in another eating
disorder called bulimia nervosa. Persons with bulimia
nervosa, however, usually purge, fast, or do strenuous
exercise after they binge eat. Purging means vomiting or
using a lot of diuretics (water pills) or laxatives to keep
from gaining weight. Fasting is not eating for at least 24
hours. Strenuous exercise, in this case, means exercising
for more than an hour just to keep from gaining weight after
binge eating. Purging, fasting, and over exercising are
dangerous ways to try to control your weight.
Binge eating generally isn’t an illness you
can treat on your own but you can do things at your home to
try and control the disorder. Here are some examples. Stick
to your treatment. Don't skip therapy sessions. If you have
meal plans, do your best to stick to them and don't let
setbacks derail your overall efforts. Avoid dieting. Trying
to diet can trigger more binge episodes, leading to a
vicious cycle that's hard to break. Eat breakfast. Many
people with binge-eating disorder skip breakfast. But
studies show that if you eat breakfast, you're less prone to
eating higher calorie meals later in the day. Don't stock
up. Keep less food in your home than you normally do. That
may mean more-frequent trips to the grocery store, but it
may also take away the temptation and ability to binge eat.
Get the right nutrients. Just because you may be eating a
lot during binges doesn't mean you're eating the kinds of
food that supply all of your essential nutrients. Talk to
your doctor about vitamin and mineral supplements. Stay
connected. Don't isolate yourself from caring family members
and friends who want to see you get healthy. Understand that
they have your best interests at heart. Get active. Talk to
your health care providers about what kind of exercise is
appropriate for you, especially if you have health problems
related to being overweight.
What if I think I have binge eating
disorder? If you think you might have binge eating disorder,
it is important to know that you are not alone. Most people
who have the disorder have tried but failed to control it on
their own. You may want to get professional help. Talk to
your health care provider about the type of help that may be
best for you. The good news is that most people do well in
treatment and can overcome binge eating.
About the Author
I am over 40 years of age and have struggled with my
weight and health all my life. I have made the changes like
I have suggested and have had tremendous results by dieting
and exercising. I have equipment and programs on my website
for you to use to create a healthy lifestyle.
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