Binge eating is a very complex behavior and emotional mismanagement is only one factor that makes us turn to food, there are physiological dynamics too.

It’s a behaviour that interests me because my mother suffers from it and it’s something I do at times.

Here’s a breakdown of what can contribute to a binge:

Emotional and Psychological Factors:

• Emotional triggers (stress, boredom, sadness)
• Restrictive diets
• Social factors (peer influence, environmental cues)
• Low self-esteem and body image concerns
• The binge cycle of guilt and shame
• Societal pressures e.g., societal expectations of appearance
• Cultural influences e.g., cultural norms around food and body image

Physiological Factors:

• Hormonal imbalances (leptin, ghrelin)
• Neurotransmitter irregularities e.g., serotonin
• Brain’s reward system
• Glycogen stores depletion
• Blood sugar level fluctuations
• Fatigue or lack of sleep
• Genetic predispositions
• Medications affecting appetite
• Underlying medical conditions e.g., Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

So binge eating’s complexity arises from a knotty mix of emotional, psychological and physiological elements.

It’s clearly a difficult one to fix on your own – so if it affects you:

• From an emotional management point of view try practicing mindfulness, managing your triggers and channelling your feelings
• Try looking after your blood sugar and glycogen stores by practicing good nutrition
• Look to strike the right balance of exercise and rest

If that doesn’t work it might be time to get professional support.

And please know there is absolutely no shame in any of this. It’s not because you’re weak – and the list above should prove that to you.