Mind Over Matters - What Causes Binge Eating?
Experts believe that some people may be more prone to overeating because the hypothalamus (pronounced: hi-poh-tha-luh-mus), the part of the brain that controls appetite, may fail to send proper messages about hunger and fullness. Serotonin, a normal brain chemical that affects mood and some compulsive behaviors, may also play a role in binge eating. These are some of the biological factors that may make someone more likely to have a binge eating problem.
Patterns of overeating often begin in childhood, sometimes as a result of unhealthy eating habits learned in the family. It's normal to associate food with nurturing and love. But in some families, food may be overused as a way to soothe or comfort. When this is the case, kids may grow up with a habit of overeating to soothe themselves when they're feeling pressured because they may not have learned healthier ways to deal with stress. Some kids may grow up believing that unhappy or upsetting feelings should be suppressed and may use food to quiet unsettling feelings rather than express them. These are some of the ways emotions and learning may play a role in binge eating.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms?
Binge eating is defined as eating more food than most people would eat in a short period of time (such as 2 hours), while feeling a lack of control over eating. Someone is said to have a binge eating disorder if the binge eating happens frequently (at least twice a week), continues over a period of time (at least 6 months), and causes distress or problems in the person's life. Teens who have a binge eating problem may do the following:
* eat much more rapidly than normal
* eat until uncomfortably full
* eat large amounts of food even when not hungry
* eat alone because of embarrassment
* feel disgusted with themselves or depressed or guilty after a binge eating episode
* gain weight excessively
Reviewed by: D'Arcy Lyness, PhD
Date reviewed: September 2003
