Binge-Eating Disorder

Eating disorder symptoms motivated by concerns about body shape/weight can be present in or develop in gastroenterology patients, often contributing to maintenance of gastrointestinal symptoms. Importantly, eating disorder symptoms lie along a spectrum—there are many individuals who do not meet full-threshold criteria for a “classic” eating disorder— anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder — yet have symptoms that could interact with their gastrointestinal presentation. To facilitate evaluation and treatment of patients with eating disorder symptoms, it can be helpful to understand that symptoms generally fall into two categories: thoughts and behaviors.

According to researchers, eating disorders — which affect more than 1 in 10 Americans — pose “a serious threat” to patients’ health and well-being, but many primary care physicians find it challenging to identify these disorders.