Binge eating disorder and obesity are both disorders that tend to overlap with one another but are in fact very different. Binge eating disorder (BED) is an eating disorder while obesity is a physical disorder.
BED is an eating disorder that normally begins in late childhood or early adolescence; it can be considered a mental health disorder, much in the way that anorexia and bulimia are mental disorders. Typically, BED is triggered by stressful situations, depression, anxiety, shame, and other emotions that can trigger mood disorders. When BED occurs, a person eats large quantities of food in a short period of time. While binge eating is satisfying and fulfilling temporarily, it inevitably results in the person feeling a sense of shame and embarrassment.
Obesity on the other hand is a physical disorder that occurs when a person consistently indulges in overeating. The reasons for obesity are much more various than BED. There is some overlap, as a lot of overeating is related to mood and a person’s mental state. But just as many cases of obesity are a result of simple bad eating habits.
While the causes of BED and obesity do overlap to a large extent, they do not necessarily lead to one another. BED can result in obesity when a person carbo loads while going through a BED episode. The more frequently a person has these episodes and makes bad eating choices, the more likely they are to eventually become obese. That being said, you can treat both of these disorders by treating your mental health. Your mood greatly affects your eating habits in general and amplifies BED and obesity. Getting a grasp on your mental health can go a long way in curtailing these conditions.
