Binge Eating Disorder - Complications

Complications

While people of a healthy weight may overeat occasionally, an ongoing habit of consuming large amounts of food in a short period of time ultimately leads to weight gain and obesity. The main health consequences of this type of eating disorder is brought on by the weight gain resulting from the binging episodes.

People with binge eating disorder may become ill due to a lack of proper nutrition. Binging episodes usually include foods that are high in fat, sugar, and/or salt, but low in vitamins and minerals. Individuals are often upset about their binge eating and may become depressed. Those who are obese and also have BED are at risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), high blood cholesterol levels (hypercholesterolemia), gallbladder disease, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.

Most people with binge eating disorder have tried to control it on their own, but have not been able to for very long. Some people miss work, school, or social activities to binge eat. Obese people with BED often have very low self-esteem and may avoid social gatherings. Those who binge eat, whether obese or not, are aware of their disordered eating patterns, and try to hide their disorder out of shame. Often they become so adept at hiding it that even close friends and family members are unaware that they binge eat.