Pathophysiology of Binge Eating Disorder (BED)?
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Binge eating disorder (BED) was first characterized in 1959 by Stunkard as the presence of recurrent episodes of binge eating. BED can also include night eating with resultant weight gain but by definition does not include the use of vomiting or medications such as laxatives, emetics, or diuretics.
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@kevin Alterations in the left orbitofrontal cortex, as can occur with lesions, result in increased insula volume, a finding that is nonspecific and seen in all eating disorders. Increased gray matter gyrus rectus volume specifically correlates with increased weight gain and an exaggerated response to sucrose pleasantness ratings in general. Reduced white matter in the medial temporal lobe, as well as in the parietal lobe, may also be associated with binge eating disorder (BED). Overvaluation of body weight and a specific focus that one is overweight can begin in childhood; this may account for the internalization of weight bias and may be a belief that is modeled between caregivers and children and that continues into adolescence and young adulthood.