Binge Eating Disorder (BED):Nutritional Prevention and Treatment

Abstract

The Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is the food disorder with higher prevalence in the world’s population when compared with the classical entities Bulimia and Anorexia Nervosa. In this disorder, the person eats an excessive amount of food, losing control over what and how much is eaten, followed by feelings of guilt, shame, and/or disgust, with no use of compensatory methods. As the prognosis of BED is often found in peopleseeking treatment for weight loss, it is important that nutritionists know how to identify and conduct the correct procedures when dealing with this disorder. The objective of this study was to conduct a literature review on the role of nutrition in procedures on the prevention and on the treatmentof BED. Prevention of BED is possible by early identification of behaviors, especially food behaviors, prior to the development of this disorder. The use of screening questionnaires, body image and the research on family history are important ways to identify risk factors for BED. The awareness about diets and encouraging a healthy diet with regular schedules individualized or in groups can help in preventing BED. Binge Eating treatment should be performed by a multidisciplinary team and Nutrition’s professional are responsible for adapting the eating patterns of patients. The use of food diary and guidelines on healthy eating aimed at weight loss or not, showed positive results and should be adopted by nutritionists for the treatment of Binge Eating Disorder.