Binge-Eating Disorder May Be More Difficult to Overcome Than Previously Believed

A new study has found that binge eating disorder may last longer than previously thought, challenging the notion that it is a transient illness. The research, led by Kristin Javaras from McLean Hospital in Boston, revealed that many individuals struggle with binge eating disorder for years, contradicting earlier studies that suggested it was a short-lived condition.

Binge eating disorder typically emerges in a person’s mid-20s and is characterized by feeling a lack of control over eating. It affects 1 to 3 percent of American adults. Previous studies on the disorder were limited in scope, often relying on retrospective data or small sample sizes.

In this new study, Javaras and her team followed 137 adults diagnosed with binge eating disorder for five years. They found that at the 2.5-year mark, 61% still met all the criteria for the disorder, with an additional 23% exhibiting clinically significant symptoms. By the five-year mark, most participants still met the criteria for binge eating disorder, although some had shown improvement.

Interestingly, even among those who were in remission at 2.5 years, 35% went on to develop full-blown binge eating disorder by the end of the study. The findings highlight the chronic nature of the disorder and the challenges individuals face in managing it over time.

The study, published in the journal Psychological Medicine, underscores the importance of understanding the long-term course of binge eating disorder to provide better care for those affected. Javaras emphasized the need for improved access to treatment programs to help individuals struggling with this debilitating condition.