Binge Eating Disorder

The obesity problem in the United States has reached epic proportions creating a tremendous healthcare and economic burden on society. Researchers, clinicians, and policymakers are frantically scrambling to find solutions to this burgeoning problem. One aspect of the obesity epidemic is Binge Eating Disorder (BED), which is increasing in prevalence and contributes to what physicians call the metabolic syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by a cluster of risk factors such as abdominal obesity, diabetes/prediabetes, elevated cholesterol and high blood pressure, all of which are strongly correlated with cardiovascular disease. In the new DSM-V, BED has been recognized as a distinct clinical entity with it's own classification. In recent years, BED has been linked to Food Addiction, which has created much debate in academic communities.