Critical Observations of Overeating

Compulsive overeating disorder may be the most common eating disorder in the United States today. As reported by Psychology Today, over four million people in the United States suffer from this disorder (2005). Compulsive overeating disorder, also known as binge eating, is “characterized by uncontrollable eating followed by feelings of guilt and shame” (Boston College Counseling Services, 2008). People with this eating disorder are often overweight, and tend to become obese from the pattern of eating. Compulsive eating disorder is often related to obesity but is not to be confused with it. Not every person whom is obese has an eating disorder. Compulsive eating disorder is also often linked to bulimia as well however, they are not the same. Bulimia is the act of overeating and is followed by purging the food taken in by inducing vomiting. People with compulsive eating disorder feel unable to control the eating habits that tend to cause many to become overweight. The uncontrollable eating habits are followed by feelings of “guilt and shame” (Boston College Counseling Services, 2008). Many signs can point out those who suffer from compulsive eating disorder. Compulsive overeaters often consume large amounts of food, even when they do not feel hungry to mask hidden feelings of inadequacy. Compulsive overeaters tend to have a history of weight fluctuations and many times know about the abnormal eating habits they have, but do not know how to rectify the problem (Penn University, 2004). Unlike the two most common eating disorders bulimia and anorexia, “a large percentage of compulsive overeaters are male” (Penn University, 2004). Even though a large percentage of compulsive overeaters are male, many females suffer from this disorder. For every two men who have this disorder three females have it (Psychology Today, 2005). Other signs of this disorder include (Brown University, 2008):
 “Eating at a rapid pace
 Consuming abnormally large amounts of