Binge Eating Disorder (BED) involves eating large amounts of food without the compensatory action (exercise, induced purging...etc.) associated with Bulimia Nervosa.  To be diagnosed with BED, the patient must have tried a large number of unsuccessful methods to lose weight.  This disorder usually begins in the 20's and 30's and is much more common in women than men.  It is also commonly associated with high rates of anxiety and depression (which motivates the consumption of large amounts of food).

Often times, those affected with BED will be larger than the “cultural ideal” before they develop the disorder. BED often arises when those who feel that they are overweight attempt to diet, become overly hungry from the decrease in food intake, and then overcompensate for this hunger by overeating.