Compulsive Overeating or Binge Eating Disorder
Compulsive overeating is an
eating disorder which involves binge eating without the purging behaviors typical in
bulimia. Compulsive overeaters eat foods for emotional rather than nutritional reasons, often eating large quantities of "junk" food. Compulsive overeaters often turn to food for comfort when stressed or upset. Compulsive overeaters are often overweight, but not all people who are obese are compulsive overeaters. See also
compulsions,
compulsive personality,
chronic dieting,
bulimia, and
anorexia nervosa.