Health Tips for December 11

Health Tip: Warning Signs of Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder is characterized by consuming an excessive amount of food at one time. But unlike people with anorexia or bulimia, they don't exercise or purge afterward, hence they are often obese, the National Women's Health Information Center says. The center offers this list of possible warning signs of binge eating disorder: Eating very quickly. Eating beyond the point of satiety to the point of uncomfortable fullness. Eating when not hungry. Feeling embarrassed about eating, leading the person to eat alone. Feeling guilt, disgust or depression after eating too much. Health Tip: Risk Factors for Anorexia Anorexia is an eating disorder in which a person becomes obsessed about gaining weight and severely limits food or starves to feel more in control. Most people with anorexia are female. There's no single cause of anorexia, but there are a number of contributing factors. The National Women's Health Information Center offers this list: Anorexia may be caused by hormonal changes or chemical changes in the brain. A family history of anorexia can increase a person's risk of developing the disorder. Stressful or traumatizing experiences, including major life changes or violent crime, can make a person more prone to developing anorexia. Having a perfectionist personality, or having extremely high standards for one's self, also are risk factors. Exposure to a culture with an emphasis on thinness and looks is an additional risk factor.