Overeating

Overeating can refer either to eating too much at one time, or to eating too much on average.Overeating in the sense of eating too much at one time can cause discomfort. Overeating over the long term is a behavior that, while generally not a medical problem, is in some cases a symptom of binge eating disorder or bulimia. In more general terms it refers to the persistent consumption of excess food in relation to the energy that the person expends, leading to weight gain and often to obesity. This may be a brief or short term process (many people overindulge generally during festivities or while on holiday) or a longer term process.

Reasons

There are 10 common reasons a person might overeat:

1. boredom
2. feeling deprived
3. feeling disgust or hatred for one's body
4. glucose intolerance
5. habit
6. lack of energy
7. needing comfort
8. feeling overwhelmed
9. feeling upset
10. lack of willpower

Additional Reasons

Because they feel pleasure from it (see Fat fetishism)

Treatment

Assess the reasons you are eating, most people are feeding more than hunger. If you find yourself at the fridge when you are mad, glad, stressed or sad, you are not eating for energy. At these times take a deep breath, have a glass of water and think about what you really need. If you are stressed, physical activity may take the edge off. If you are sad, call a friend and talk about it. So many times we turn to food when the answer is elsewhere.[2].

Cognitive behavior therapy, individual, and group therapy are often beneficial in helping people keep track of their eating habits and changing the way they cope with difficult situations.

One organization that helps overeaters is Overeaters Anonymous, which operates a 12-step program.

Overeating has been linked to the use of medications known as dopamine agonists, such as pramipexole [3].

See also

• Addiction
• Binge eating
• Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think (book)