Binge eating affects approximately 3.5 percent of women and 2 percent of men in the United States, yet medical professionals and much of the public remain unfamiliar with this eating disorder. Also referred to as compulsive overeating, binge eating is not yet officially recognized as a clinical disorder; however, some experts believe that it is every bit as serious as bulimia and anorexia.

During the holidays, with the increased emphasis on food and family meals, all eating disorder sufferers face heightened distress. However, binge eaters may find themselves particularly challenged, in the same way that alcoholics are challenged by the holiday atmosphere. In the words of one recovering binge eater, on Thanksgiving and Christmas, "You have this license to really go out of control, and it's acceptable behavior. Nobody notices that you're eating 12 pieces of pie, because you're just trying each one there."

Self-help groups such as Overeaters Anonymous (OA) can provide opportunities for binge eaters to find support and begin the process of recovering. According to some recovering binge eaters, drastic life changes are necessary.

One binge eater described how he used to order eight or 10 platters at a Chinese restaurant and think nothing of it. But, now that he is in recovery, he doesn't let family bring desserts to his home; he doesn't buy Halloween candy to distribute to trick-or-treaters; and he didn't even have a cake at his wedding. During the holidays, he attends additional OA meeting to help steady his resolve and commitment to lead a healthier lifestyle.

(Source: www.suntimes.com)

Labels: binge-eating, support, compulsive overeating

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According to a column appearing in the New York Daily News this week, two-thirds of Americans are overweight, and many others have developed unhealthy eating behaviors. Compulsive overeating, also referred to as "binge eating," is among these risky behaviors. Among other things, binge eating is a major indicator for heart attack risk. Dr. Robert Schwarzberg, a weight control specialist, commented for the article:

"Doctors are indeed examining the pathways that prompt and reward eating. ... But before that kind of magic potion arrives (which we probably wouldn't want to give our kids anyway), maybe we can all make some better choices, one meal at a time."

Dr. Schwarzberg discusses the problematic nature of treating food addiction. Unlike addiction to anything else, food addicts cannot give up eating altogether: "Treatment of most addictions focuses on abstinence. & But the food addict can't just abstain from eating - every meal is like putting a martini on the table in front of the alcoholic and saying, well, just one sip."

Because recovering food addicts must continue to eat, treatment providers are focusing more on the key emotional and physiological aspects that contribute to food abuse. Just like a drug addict who must take medication for a certain condition, the focus becomes more on preventing an altered mood state from occurring during use than on complete abstinence.

(Source: www.nydailynews.com)

Labels: eating disorder, compulsive overeating

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