Binge Eating Disorder: A Clinical Review

Authors

Michell McDiffett MSHS, PA-C, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Behavioral Medicine

Advisor

Tom Colletti, DHSc, MPAS, PA-C Emeritus, DFAAPA

Abstract

Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder (ED) in the United States (U.S.) and is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating a larger than normal amount of food in a discrete period of time and includes a sense of loss of control over food intake. BED is often comorbid with serious somatic and psychiatric disorders and is associated with reduced quality of life and excess mortality. Some consider BED a public health concern due to frequent co-occurrence with obesity and worse outcomes in those populations. The diagnosis is often delayed due to shame and underreporting of symptoms and inadequate screening practices. BED is primarily managed with psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, which are both focused on reducing binge-eating behavior to reduce medical and psychiatric complications. This clinical review aims to advance the clinician’s competence in proper evaluation and intervention with current evidence-based management strategies to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with BED and restore functioning and quality of life for patients.

Recommended Citation

McDiffett, Michell MSHS, PA-C (2025) "Binge Eating Disorder: A Clinical Review," Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science: Vol. 1: Iss. 2, Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.63932/3067-7106.1024
Available at: https://digitalshowcase.lynchburg.edu/jms/vol1/iss2/4