I want

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

Prof. Yael Latzer, School of Social Work and Public Health, University of Haifa, Center for Eating Disorders, Rambam Health Care Campus
16 July 2025

This article uses the feminine form because most people affected by the disorder are girls. However, the information is relevant and accurate for boys, teens, men, and women of all ages.

Binge eating disorder is characterized by repeated episodes of uncontrollable overeating. Unlike bulimia, these episodes are not followed by purging behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting. As a result, most people with the disorder are also overweight.

Diagnosis

Binge eating disorder is defined by recurring episodes of uncontrolled eating that include at least three of the following behaviors:

  • Eating much faster than normal.

  • Eating large amounts of food without feeling physically hungry.

  • Eating until feeling uncomfortably full.

  • Eating alone due to embarrassment about the quantity of food consumed.

  • Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or guilty after overeating.

  • Experiencing significant distress about the binge eating episodes.

  • The episodes occur on average at least once a week for three months.

  • The binge eating is not followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise, and it is not part of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.

 

Severity levels

The severity of binge eating disorder is measured by how many episodes occur each week:

Number of binge episodes per week Severity level
1–3 Mild
4–7 Moderate
8–13 Severe
14 or more Extreme

How Common Is Binge Eating Disorder?

  • About 2%–3.5% of the general population are affected. This includes roughly 3.5% of women and 2.5% of men—which means that for every 3 women with the disorder, there are 2 men. The condition is also found in around 30% of people living with obesity.
  • Most women and men diagnosed with binge eating disorder also have co-occurring mental health conditions—most commonly anxiety disorders, mood disorders, substance use disorders, and ADHD (without hyperactivity).
  • The disorder usually begins and peaks in late adolescence or early adulthood, though most people who seek treatment are women aged 30 and older.

Why Binge Eating Disorder Is Hard to Diagnose

Binge eating disorder is difficult to diagnose. People who live with it often feel shame about their eating behaviors and their inability to control the binges. They typically seek help from family doctors or dietitians for related issues—most often overweight or obesity—without revealing the underlying disorder.

Healthcare professionals may also miss the diagnosis, as binge eating disorder is still underrecognized. In many cases, people are referred to weight loss programs instead of receiving care for the eating disorder. There's also growing evidence that children and teens may experience binge eating disorder, but diagnosis is challenging in those age groups as well.

It’s important during diagnosis to distinguish between binge eating disorder—a mental health condition—and overweight or obesity, which are medical issues. This distinction is especially critical when considering referrals for weight loss surgery or injections.

Mortality

Between 1.5% and 2.3% of people with binge eating disorder will die as a result of the condition—some due to complications from obesity.