:. Which of the following is a characteristic of binge eating disorder?
A.
Eating until feeling uncomfortably full.
B.
Recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors.
C.
Eating more rapidly than normal.
D.
Recurrent episodes of night eating.
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is A. Eating until feeling uncomfortably full.
Explanation:
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food, often rapidly and to the point of discomfort. This disorder is marked by several key features, but option A best represents a core characteristic of BED.
- Eating Until Feeling Uncomfortably Full: This characteristic is central to BED. Individuals with this disorder often consume excessive amounts of food within a short period, leading to a physical sensation of discomfort or fullness. This behavior is not just about eating quickly but involves consuming an unusually large amount of food, often driven by psychological factors like stress or emotional distress.
- Recurrent Episodes of Binge Eating Followed by Inappropriate Compensatory Behaviors: This description aligns more with Bulimia Nervosa rather than BED. Bulimia Nervosa involves binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or use of laxatives to prevent weight gain. BED does not involve these compensatory behaviors, which makes option B incorrect in this context.
- Eating More Rapidly Than Normal: While eating quickly can occur during a binge episode, it is not specific to BED. Eating rapidly is a behavior that can be associated with various eating disorders or even normal eating patterns when people are in a hurry. Therefore, option C does not fully encapsulate the disorder.
- Recurrent Episodes of Night Eating: This describes Night Eating Syndrome (NES), which involves consuming large amounts of food during the night. NES is distinct from BED, which does not specifically involve night eating.
In summary, option A accurately reflects the hallmark symptom of BED: the consumption of excessive amounts of food until feeling uncomfortably full. This behavior is a critical part of diagnosing BED, distinguishing it from other eating disorders.