Binge eating disorder, essentially the most common eating disorder in the USA, may last more in some individuals than previously thought, a recent study found.
Binge Eating is characterised by frequent episodes of consuming large amounts of food, even within the absence of physical hunger. Victims experience feelings of losing control over eating during this episode, followed by feelings of distress, guilt, and shame. It affects roughly 1 to three percent of adults in the USA.
The most recent study suggests that it will possibly take several years for an eating disorder to totally resolve, with relapses common. The outcomes show that 61% of individuals still suffered from eating disorders 2.5 years after initial diagnosis, and 45% still suffered after five years. This contradicts previous studies that suggested faster remission times for the disorder.
“The large finding is that binge eating improves over time, but for many individuals it lasts for years,” said lead writer Kristin Javara in a Press release.
“As a clinician, my patients often tell me about binge eating for a lot of, a few years, which could be very much inconsistent with studies that suggest it’s a short lived disorder. It is extremely vital to grasp how long binge eating lasts and the likelihood of relapse in order that we will provide higher care,” she added.
The researchers conducted a five-year follow-up study led by researchers at McLean Hospital involving 137 adults who had an eating disorder. These individuals were first diagnosed with the disorder firstly of the study after which re-evaluated 2.5 and 5 years later. Participants had a median BMI of 36 and ranged in age from 19 to 74 years.
“After 2.5 years, 61 percent of participants still met all criteria for an eating disorder on the time of the study and a further 23 percent showed clinically significant symptoms, although these were below the brink for an eating disorder. After 5 years, 46 percent of participants met all criteria and a further 33 percent showed clinically significant but subthreshold symptoms,” the press release said.
The researchers also found that 35% of those that were in remission on the 2.5-year follow-up experienced a whole relapse or sub-threshold eating disorder on the 5-year follow-up.
Since the diagnostic criteria for binge eating disorder have modified because the study was accomplished, researchers expect that a better percentage of participants shall be diagnosed with the disorder at follow-up examinations after 2.5 and 5 years.
