Medical Health Encyclopedia

To be diagnosed as a binge eater, a person typically has the following characteristics:

• Bingeing at least twice a week for 6 months
• Consuming 5,000 to 15,000 calories in one sitting
• Eating three meals a day plus frequent snacks
• Overeating continually throughout the day, rather than consuming large amounts of food during binges

Since binge eating disorder is generally associated with weight gain, it will not be further discussed in this report. [For more information on bingeing without purging, see In-Depth Report #53: Obesity.]

Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified

A fourth category called eating disorders not otherwise specified (NOS) has been established to define eating disorders not specifically defined as anorexia or bulimia. This category includes the following:

• Infrequent binge-purge episodes (occurring less than twice a week or having such behavior for less than  months)
• Repeated chewing and spitting without swallowing large amounts of food
• Normal weight and anorexic behavior

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Such patients tend to be older at diagnosis. Although less serious than other eating disorders, these patients still face similar health problems, including a higher risk for fractures and other conditions.