Recent research shows that binge eating disorders occur in about 30 percent of people participating in medically supervised weight control programs. One wonders, therefore, why, with these uncomfortable affects would the binge-eater not stop their destructive behavior. Fantasizing about being a better person when thin. Feeling tormented by eating habits. Social and professional failures attributed to weight.
Weight is the focus of life.
Such attitudes can be observed in many support groups which meet to resolve Compulsive eating Issues. Compulsive and obsessive behavior is usually connected with a control issue. In filling their stomachs, they are attempting to fill an emotional gap created by traumatic incidents, or a neglectful or abusive childhood. The feeling of powerlessness over the bingeing habit as experienced by many compulsive overeaters is reminiscent of attitudes connected with addictions of various forms. Most people who have the disorder accept this situation because they are more concerned about their obesity than their bingeing.