What You Need to Know About Binge Eating Disorder
And Why You Can’t Afford to Ignore It

Volume 1, October 2008

Outside of the mental health field, the public does not have a great deal of information about binge eating disorder (BED) because not many studies have focused on its impact on productivity and health care costs. Only recently has it started receiving national attention and, as a result, health care institutions and employers are beginning to address it as a significant behavioral health issue.

Binge eating leads to a number of serious medical problems, the most noteworthy being obesity and all its consequences, including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and increased risk of mortality. Research shows that up to 25 percent of obese individuals suffer from binge eating. Because of stigma and embarrassment, most binge eaters never come forward and report that they have a problem. Instead, they may participate in weight loss programs, or seek weight loss surgery without changing their maladaptive eating habits. Not surprisingly, weight management interventions with binge eaters typically result in poor outcomes.

HealthMedia® recently deployed Overcoming™ Binge Eating, a web-based intervention designed to help individuals suffering from BED. Data on users of the program paints a very compelling picture.

  • While some might associate eating disorders with adolescents and college students, the users ranged in age from 17 to 69, with 56 percent in their 30s or 40s.
  • 35 percent of users were men, which also counters the erroneous belief that the vast majority of those with eating disorders are females.
  • While the majority of the participants were obese or severely obese, 20 percent have a healthy BMI level, suggesting that some people are taking advantage of the available program and addressing BED before it leads to more serious consequences.
  • Perhaps most alarming - 87 percent of participants reported receiving no treatment for their eating problems before taking the HealthMedia® online intervention.
  • The good news - users with a healthy BMI had the highest level of motivation and confidence to change their behavior, underscoring the benefit of early intervention with this portion of the population.

To our knowledge, no published studies have examined the relationship between binge eating and productivity. Figure 1 shows the productivity impairment of binge eaters according to BMI status, compared to the average productivity figures across the HealthMedia® book of business.

  • Binge eaters who are obese show a productivity impairment 6 to 8 percentage points higher than obese individuals who do not binge eat. This finding is consistent with other data that show poorer functioning among obese binge eaters. In an employee population with an average salary of $50,000, this differential could cost over $4,000 per employee per year.
  • Most surprising was the significant productivity impairment among binge eaters at healthy weight levels. Their level of impairment was over 6 percentage points higher than other healthy weight individuals. This differential could cost over $3,000 per year, again speaking to the need for interventions targeting healthy weight binge eaters before their problems become more severe.
Top Times and Triggers

Data from the HealthMedia® program show when users are binging. Since most binge eating occurs during “off-hours” — away from work — it is important to provide individuals with help 24/7 so they have access to exercises and tools to help manage and prevent this behavior.

When Do People Binge?
Top Ten Risky Times or Places

  • 46% After returning home (from work, school)
  • 46% In the evening
  • 45% When eating or craving a specific food
  • 45% When alone
  • 40% When eating out or celebrating
  • 40% When hungry
  • 28% After going long periods without eating (more than four waking hours)
  • 25% Before bed
  • 23% After breaking a dietary rule
  • 14% When eating with family

Why Do People Binge?
Top Ten Emotional Triggers

  • 54% Bored
  • 40% Anxious, worried, or afraid
  • 38% Stressed or tense
  • 38% Depressed
  • 29% Fat or that I am gaining weight
  • 27% Pre-menstrual (PMS)
  • 24% Interpersonal stress (difficulty with a friend or loved one)
  • 19% Worthlessness (low self-esteem)
  • 18% Rejected or lonely
  • 16% Unattractive to others (tie)
  • 16% I am a failure (tie)
  • 16% Guilty (tie)