Is Your Eating Out of Control?
by Sue Roberts

If you think it is, take heart, you are not alone. According to a recently conducted survey
at Harvard, binge eating is more common than any other eating problem. 2.8% of American
adults (that's 1 in 35) consider themselves to be binge eaters. That compares to 0.6% that
have anorexia, and 1% with bulimia.

Researchers have found that bingeing is more common among those with weight issues. Binge eating often begins as a response to some very stressful event, such as a loved one dying,
losing a job or even being dumped by a boyfriend.

Out-of-control overeating can actually reduce anxiety (for the short term, anyway) and
because it makes you feel better, it can quickly become addictive.

Its a never ending cycle, though.

Here's what happens. Anxiety or other negative, uncomfortable feelings initiate a binge, the
binge acts as a sedative, calming you down and helping you to feel better. The problem is
that this calm feeling can often be followed by intense guilt feelings, because you feel badly
about how much you just ate. This in turn creates more anxiety and the cycle repeats.

Can you relate?

If you or someone close to you is caught up in this destructive cycle, help is available!

Check out some of the following references, or contact me (sue@YourOnlineNutritionist.com )
and we'll get you started on the road to binge-free eating. (This is by no means an exhaustive
list, by the way.)

Gurze Books and Eating Disorders Resources http://www.gurze.com/index.cfm

Geneen Roth website http://www.geneenroth.com/

Nourishing Connections website http://www.nourishingconnections.com

Copyright  April 27, 2007  Sue Roberts, MPH MS RD/CN
As a certified nutritionist and registered dietitan for over 20 years, Sue is passionate about helping you become your healthiest ever! She provides completely confidential online nutrition counseling, wellness coaching and education services at www.YourOnlineNutritionist.com

Your Online Nutritionist
PO Box 4354
West Richland, WA 99353
ph: 509.392.2071
fax: 309.401.8759
sue@youronlinenutritionist.com