Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
NRFi Research: Binge Eating Disorder
What is Binge Eating Disorder (BED)?
- Binge eating disorder (BED) is a psychiatric diagnosis characterized by:
- Rapid consumption of objectively large amounts of food
- ...that occurs in a discrete, 2-hour time period.
- Without compensation (e.g., purging).
- Associated with loss of control and distress.
- Often accompanied by feeling of guilt or shame.
- Binge eating disorder (BED) has:
- High lifetime prevalence rates (5%–31%)
- High comorbidity with anxiety, depression, obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes.
- Significantly impaired quality of life.
Binge Eating Disorder Treatment Barriers
- Standard-of-care treatments for binge eating (BED) have:
- Low treatment rates (38.3%–43.6%).
- High recurrence rates (49%–64%).
- High rates of treatment dissatisfaction.
- High rates of early discontinuation of care (dropout).
- Studies find that 55 - 95% of individuals with BED:
- Don't know they have an eating disorder (95%).
- Never receive a formal diagnosis (95%).
- Don't recognize the need for treatment (95%).
- Never receive or pursue standard treatment (56%–87%).
- Do not have access to healthcare (~85%).
NRFi Research Agenda I
- NRFi seeks to raise awareness about BED and test new treatment options that are:
- Free or low cost.
- Remote or community-based.
- Socioculturally/demographically sensitive and inclusive.
- Easily accessible to those in need.
- At NRFi, we are dedicated to advancing research that supports treatment solutions for eating disorders, for everyone, especially those who are under-resourced and historically overlooked by research often.
Paradigm Shifts in Binge Eating Disorder
- Outdated "SWAG" stereotype ascribes eating disorders to thin/Skinny, White, Affluent, [cis-gendered] Girls [females] with restriction-type eating disorders.
- This demographic has traditionally saturated treatment-seeking populations (and research samples in turn) but does not accurately represent binge eating disorder.
- Emerging data find disproportionately high prevalence rates of BED in minority, marginalized, and under-resourced populations historically overlooked in the field.
- Emerging data finds high prevalence/comorbidity rates of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma (abuse, neglect, invalidating environments, PTSD) in BED.
- These findings suggest a different pathology than that associated with the "SWAG" stereotype.
Binge Eating Disorder is a Social Justice Issue
- Black, Indigenous, & People of Color (BIPOC):
- Higher prevalence rates of BED vs. white peers.
- Make up <10% of participants in BED research.
- Less likely to be diagnosed or receive care.
- Sex & Gender Minorities (LGBTQ2+):
- Increased risk for eating disorders & BED.
- 2.75 times greater prevalence of adult BED in non-heterosexual U.S. Survey respondents (2.2% vs. 0.8%).
- Higher BED prevalence in agender, transgender, and non-binary young adults vs. cis-gendered counterparts (females: 28%; males: 64%; non-binary: 73%).
- Higher eating disorder pathology scores in transgender males vs. transgender females.
Binge Eating Disorder is a Social Justice Issue
- Food Insecurity & Binge Eating Disorder
- 1.65 times greater BED prevalence in food insecure vs. food secure participants (8.6% vs. 5.2%; p = 0.02).
- Use of government assistance at <18 yrs (e.g., welfare, food stamps, SNAP) increases BED risk 3-fold.
- Food Pantry Studies (San Antonio, TX; 2015-16):
- 52% of respondents report deliberately trying to limit food or going >8 hours without food.
- Which significantly correlates with eating disorder pathology severity (r = 0.25, p = 0.0001).
- And higher BMI.
NRFi Research Agenda II
- NRFi is dedicated to catalyzing breakthroughs in understanding, preventing, treating, and living with eating disorders and related issues of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, access, oppression, and invalidation.
- This is achieved through prioritizing community-based research, patient narratives, and equal-access treatment options for eating disorders, for everyone.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. We offer a variety of opportunities for individuals and groups to get involved and make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
Hi there!
Welcome to NourishED! We're a 501(c)(3) non-profit research organization that uses uses research to improve awareness, prevention, treatment outcomes, and lived experiences of eating disorders and other mental health disparities. We're so glad you're here!