binge eating

Binge eating is characterized by recurring episodes of consuming a large amount of food within a specific time frame, accompanied by a feeling of being out of control. This behavior is often associated with negative self-perceptions but does not involve compensatory actions like purging or excessive exercise. It is considered the most common eating disorder, affecting up to 5% of Americans, with episodes occurring at least once a week for three months. Binge eating can also be a symptom of other eating disorders, such as bulimia nervosa, where it is followed by compensatory behaviors, or anorexia nervosa, binge-eating/purging type. The act of binge eating itself is defined as the excessive or compulsive consumption of food.1234