Overeating, what is it?

Overeating, what is it?

Binge eating, also called binge eating disorder, is an eating disorder characterized by overconsumption of food. It is not a metabolic or energy need but a disorder resulting from a psychological and / or psychic attack. What are the solutions against overeating?

Definition of overeating

Overeating is an eating disorder. Also called “polyphagia”, this disorder is defined by a tendency to overconsume, without necessity on the metabolic or energy level. Unlike bulimia or anorexia, this eating disorder is too little known to the general public.

A relationship between overeating and obesity has been widely demonstrated. Indeed, this obsession with overconsumption of food leads to more or less weight gain, generally leading to overweight or even obesity.

This appetite to eat in excess, not coming from a physiological need, is then the result of a psychological and / or psychic attack, research is continuing on the subject, in order to determine the exact psychological cause, the “psychic modalities”. and affective ”thus more effective therapeutic actions.

The management of binge eating is complicated, and treatment failures for the associated symptoms make it difficult to alleviate such eating disorders.

The causes of overeating

The exact cause of binge eating (or “binge eating”) is currently not known. Not being a physiological, metabolic or energetic need, the development of such eating disorders would be caused by a psychological disorder, or even an emotional attack.

In fact, patients with overeating most often have depressive or anxiety disorders or even tend to use illicit substances.

Who is affected by binge eating?

Anyone, regardless of gender or age, can be confronted with binge eating. Either a need to take refuge in food, to overconsume food.

People who are most emotionally, sentimentally and psychologically sensitive will tend to take refuge in overconsumption of food.

The prevalence of the disease (number of people affected compared to the general population) is 1,9% for women and 0,3% for men in Europe. One population would, however, be more at risk: adolescents.

Evolution and possible complications of overeating

Binge eating is therefore an eating disorder, leading to overconsumption of food. The most often associated course and consequences are the development of overweight or even obesity. However, this evolution can lead to the development of underlying pathologies:

  • type II diabetes,
  • cholesterolemia,
  • arterial hypertension,
  • c

Symptoms of binge eating

Overeating is characterized by overconsumption of food, not metabolic. It is then an appetite for food, not controlled. Patients then feel this need to overeat, in order to fill a lack (generally emotional and / or psychological).

Risk factors for overeating

Risk factors associated with developing binge eating disorder include:

  • a depressive state
  • a tendency to anxiety
  • behavioral problems
  • substance use (tobacco, drugs, etc.)
  • psychic and psychological disturbances
  • emotional sensitivity

How to treat overeating?

In terms of the management of the disease, it is carried out through different means:

  • psychiatric care: individual, group, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapies, etc. ;
  • drug management;
  • food and nutritional monitoring.

Binge eating requires appropriate, multidisciplinary and supervised care. Day hospitalization may be necessary in the most serious cases of the disease.

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