Binge eating is a disorder that is characteristically associated with compulsive overeating. Peterson, Golden & Kramer (2009) cited that binge eaters consume large amounts of food out of powerlessness and inability to control their eating style. This disorder compels one to eat even when one is not actually hungry. Such people can therefore continue eating for a long time even after they are full. Binge eating makes one to actually eat until they are uncomfortably full.
The rationale behind the choice of this topic is in the fact that this disorder is one of the commonest eating disorders among the adolescents and young adults. Insel (2011) indicates that although various studies have been conducted on eating disorders, such studies have failed to really establish the actual cause, signs and symptoms, consequences and treatment interventions for this particular disorder. Therefore more studies need to be conducted on the disorder to enhance reliable understanding and knowledge on the disorder (Insel, 2011).
Empirical study of binge eating is an undertaking that is very significant to the society. Many parents are struggling with their adolescent children that fall victim to this disorder. Such persons are more vulnerable to risks arising from the health implications of binge eating disorder (Mitchell, 2008). Therefore, this study will help the society at large to understand the causes of the disorder, its signs and symptoms, consequences and treatment interventions that can be applied to help victims of this disorder. This will thus save a large percentage of adolescents and young adults from various chronic and fatal health complications that result from the disorder (Mitchell, 2008).
This study will help in the identification and differentiation between indicators of binge eating and other health-related issues associated with food and eating. In this respect, it is also imperative to