Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating are eating disorders that can affect teens. There are some similarities among these eating disorders and some key differences, too. All three involve unhealthy patterns of eating. Each has its own pattern that makes it different from the others.

People with bulimia nervosa (sometimes called binge-purge syndrome) binge on food and then vomit or use laxatives to try to keep themselves from gaining weight. They may also try to burn off the extra calories by exercising compulsively as a way of making up for eating binges. Teens who binge eat also consume huge amounts of food but they don't throw it up afterward. Although they may eat compulsively, they don't usually exercise compulsively like someone who has bulimia. Both binge eating and bulimia involve eating excessive amounts of food, feeling out of control while eating, and feeling guilty or ashamed afterward.

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that involves extreme preoccupation with thinness, weight loss, fear of getting fat, and a distorted body image. Unlike bulimia and binge eating, which involve out-of-control overeating, teens with anorexia starve themselves to feel more in control of their relationship with food. With anorexia, a person believes he or she is fat - even though that person may actually be dangerously thin. With both bulimia and anorexia, a person's self-esteem depends too much on body shape and weight. Like teens with bulimia, some teens with anorexia may also exercise compulsively to lose weight.

All three of these eating disorders involve unhealthy eating patterns that begin gradually and build to the point where a person feels unable to control them. All can lead to serious health consequences, and all involve emotional distress for the person.

How Common Is Binge Eating?

Both guys and girls can have eating disorders. Anorexia and bulimia appear to be more common among girls than guys. Binge eating seems to be just as likely to occur in guys as girls. It's hard to know just how many teens may have a binge eating problem. Because people often feel guilty or embarrassed about the out-of-control eating, many don't talk about it or seek help.

At least 4 million Americans are thought to have a binge eating disorder. It's estimated that between 30% and 90% of all people who are obese have binge eating problems.

Reviewed by: D'Arcy Lyness, PhD
Date reviewed: September 2003