An eating disorder is an illness that leads people to overeat, starve themselves, or adopt other unhealthy behaviors surrounding food and body weight. These disorders — binge eating, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia — are not simply bad habits. They interfere with daily life and without proper treatment they can cause serious health problems.
Episodes of extreme overeating are the hallmark of this illness, which is the most common eating disorder. People who struggle with it are usually overweight or obese — male or female. In contrast with bulimia, this illness does not lead people to purge (vomit), fast, or over-exercise. It can develop at any age but is often diagnosed in middle age. It can lead to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
