This paper discusses the implications of overeating, the biological, psychological, and social causes of it, its impact on mental and physical aspects of health, and possible treatments.
What is Overeating?.
Overeating, also known as compulsive eating, or binge eating disorder is defined as eating uncontrollably without any sign of physiological hunger. It is often used as a coping mechanism to deal with issues such as stress, emotional upsets and daily problems. The food can block out feelings and emotions. And like other eating disorders, it is done in secret. Therefore, one may eat normally in public and for instance, "eat in their car afterwards in private" (Current Health, 1997). At this point, one should note that what distinguishes overeating from bulimia (binging and purging) is that both undergo approximately the same amount of overeating, however bulimics tend to vomit afterwards, while overeaters do not. .
A feeling of guilt, shame, disgust, and depression afterwards often follows overeating. According to Diane Neumark-Sztainer and Mary Story (1998), shame turns the "normal" experience of overeating into a repetitive anguished pattern. Thus, he is saying that once they have started eating and have gotten the feeling of shame and the thought of no will power, they engage in more eating with the "now-that-I've-blown-it-I-might-as-well-eat-more" syndrome (Carol, 1997). This repetitive pattern only causes more distress and addiction to overeating as their feeling of inadequacy intensifies. .
Causes .
On a biological point of view, dopamine, particularly the D2 receptor, is involved with satisfaction of eating and regulates food intake. According to Genet-Jean Wang et al (2001), they found that dopamine receptors were less available in obese persons, and suggest that overeating is a method of compensating for this deficiency. Moreover, drugs that block dopamine D2 receptors increase appetite and weight gain, while drugs that increase dopamine concentration are "anorexigenic" (Wang et al, 2001).
Causes of Overeating Overeating is a very widespread health issue today. ... One type of feeling that overeating comforts is fear. ... Also, birthdays are associated with overeating. ... With these prices, overeating can be done very easily. Overeating is very tempting. ...
Some see overeating as a disease that has plagued our society with no hope of being cured any time soon, while others see it as another aspect of American culture. ... Author Greg Crister argues these issues, and suggests that we as a society should stigmatize overeating, while being careful to stigmatize the act of overeating, as opposed to the person. ... Moreover, if one is going to stigmatize overeating, than one needs to begin at the source where the eating begins: with children. ... If the child begins to overeat at a young age, then overeating could become a natural way to eat. ...
There are many causes of overeating. ... Many times overeating is the result of loneliness or stress (Arenson, 19). ... Some cases of overeating come from the reaction to being raised in a broken home. ... Treatment of obesity and overeating is usually a very challenging process. ... This can result in even a greater amount of overeating. ...
Among the most common are eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive overeating. ... Compulsive overeating is another eating disorder although not as common as anorexia or bulimia. ... As compulsive overeating is not yet taken as seriously as other eating disorders, patients are directed to diet centers and health spas, but in the end, compulsive overeating can have the same consequences as anorexia and bulimia, the most serious being death. ... In conclusion, anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive overeating are not only disorders, they are also diseases that can ruin a person&...
Many people also go to hypnotists to stop smoking, drinking, and overeating. ... Though there have been cases of people who have stopped smoking, drinking, and overeating through hypnosis, most psychiatrists feel that it is better to be treated when in a normal state of consciousness....
The third classified eating disorder is called Compulsive Overeating or Binge Eating. ... Compulsive overeating is a continuous cycle between extreme binging and dieting. ... Compulsive overeating is harmful to a persons body. ... Aside from being physically harmful compulsive overeating is also harmful to a person mentally and emotionally. ... Like compulsive overeating, doctors have debated for years about whether or not obesity is an eating disorder. ...
Compulsive overeating, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa are disorders that do not receive much of the media spotlight: nevertheless, these are serious enough to warrant medical care, since if left untreated, the patients succumb to the disorder or to one of many related side effects. ... Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and compulsive overeating can strike anyone, no matter their ethnicity, sex, or age. ... Compulsive overeating is another of the food disorders many people suffer from. ...
Compulsive overeating, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa are disorders that do not receive much of the media spotlight: nevertheless, these are serious enough to warrant medical care, since if left untreated, the patients succumb to the disorder or to one of many related side effects. ... Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and compulsive overeating can strike anyone, no matter their ethnicity, sex, or age. ... Compulsive overeating is another of the food disorders many people suffer from. ...
