Binge Eating Disorder In Children & Adolescents


ICD-10 Code: F50.81

Binge eating disorder (BED) is part of a cluster of diagnoses called the feeding and eating disorders.  Feeding and eating disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions that include:

  • Anorexia nervosa
  • Bulimia nervosa
  • Binge eating disorder
  • Pica
  • Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder

Feeding and eating disorders are characterized by a persistent disturbance in eating behaviors.  These disorders are linked to alterations in the consumption of food or absorption of nutrients, and can result in severe distress, physical health problems, and psychosocial impairment.  People with anorexia nervosa are significantly underweight because they eat very little food in an effort to lose weight or prevent weight gain.  People with binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa eat large quantities of food in a short period of time (called a "binge"); people with bulimia nervosa also attempt to prevent weight gain by compensating for these binges in an inappropriate way, usually by vomiting, excessively exercising, fasting, or misusing laxatives or other medications.  People with pica regularly eat non-nutritious, non-food substances.  People with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder have little interest in food or avoid many types of foods, which results in nutrition deficits.

Several of these disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, are characterized by serious disturbances in body image and a preoccupation with weight and shape.  Other disorders, including pica  and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, are characterized by atypical eating behaviors but are not prominently associated with body image disturbances.  Some feeding and eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, cause the individual to be significantly underweight or malnourished as a result of their eating behaviors.  Other disorders, including bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, do not produce marked weight loss and are typically associated with normal or higher than expected weight.

What is Binge Eating Disorder?

BED is a psychiatric disorder that affects approximately 1 - 2.5% of children and adolescents. BED is characterized primarily by recurrent episodes of binge eating, in which the person eats a very large amount of food in a discrete period of time (e.g., a two-hour period).

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Understanding Binge Eating Disorder

BED severity can range from mild to severe.  In severe cases, BED can lead to impaired physical health, increased medical morbidity and healthcare utilization, obesity, and negative financial consequences.  Individuals with BED may also experience impairment at work or school and in interpersonal relationships.

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How is binge eating disorder treated?

Little is known about the treatment of pediatric BED. However, published treatment guidelines for pediatric eating disorders, including BED, are provided by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

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