Binge eating facts for kids

Binge eating is a serious health problem where a person eats a very large amount of food quickly. This happens even when they are not hungry. People who binge eat often feel like they cannot stop eating, even if they want to.

What is Binge Eating?

Binge eating is a type of eating disorder. It means someone eats a lot of food in a short time. They often feel out of control during these times. It's more than just eating too much at a party. It's a pattern of eating that causes distress.

How Does Binge Eating Feel?

People who binge eat often feel very upset or sad while they are eating. They might also feel this way right after they finish. They might feel guilty or ashamed about how much they ate. Sometimes, they eat more food than most other people would eat in the same amount of time.

After eating a lot, people might feel very uncomfortable. They might try unhealthy ways to make up for the large amount of food they ate. This can include trying to control their weight in ways that are not good for their body.

The Binge Eating Cycle

Binge eating can feel like a cycle that is hard to break. A person might eat a lot to feel better for a short time. But soon after, they often feel very guilty and regretful. These bad feelings can make them want to eat again to feel better. This creates a "vicious cycle" where they eat, feel bad, and then eat again to try and escape the bad feelings.

Binge Eating and Other Eating Disorders

If binge eating happens often, it is considered an eating disorder. People with this disorder might gain weight. They can also feel very ashamed of their eating habits. This shame can sometimes lead to feeling very sad or depressed.

Binge eating is different from other eating disorders like bulimia or anorexia. People with bulimia might also binge eat, but then they try to get rid of the food in unhealthy ways. People with anorexia eat very little food because they are afraid of gaining weight. Sometimes, people with anorexia might also binge and then try to get rid of the food.