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Binge Eating Disorder Association Celebrates First Anniversary

BEDA marks inaugural year accomplishments in addressing most common eating disorder

Severna Park, MD (September 1, 2009) – The Binge Eating Disorder Association was initiated in June 2008 to address the needs of those affected by binge eating disorder, their families and friends, and those who provide treatment for affected individuals. The association has achieved several notable milestones in its first year of existence. They include appointing officers adopting bylaws; developing a scientific advisory council chaired by Cynthia M. Bulik, PhD; launching its web site; building its membership of both individuals and treatment providers; championing BED as its own designation in the American Psychological Association’s (APA) DSM-V; partnering with eating disorder and obesity advocacy organizations; and raising awareness nationwide for BED.

BEDA has also scheduled its first annual conference for March 4-6, 2010, in Baltimore, Maryland. Guest speakers include Cynthia Bulik, PhD, Margo Maine, PhD, Michael Levine, PhD, Mark Schwartz, ScD, and other nationally recognized experts.

“We’ve accomplished a lot as a new organization, and we’re pleased to have several respected professionals help steer our organization through this crucial period.” says Chevese Turner, BEDA chief executive officer. “We’ve already begun establishing our presence among our many audiences, and our web site is moving toward being a dynamic tool through which we can communicate to these audiences, as well as a valuable resource to the binge eating disordered community, its treatment providers, and its family and friends. We have also begun to build bridges to the obesity community and develop strong connections among our growing membership and with several sister organizations, including the Eating Disorder Coalition (EDC), Eating Disorder Hope, The Joy Project, MEDA, EDN of Maryland, the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) and many others.”

Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the U.S. BED is sometimes referred to as compulsive overeating or emotional eating. The disorder affects more than 15 million people and accounts for three times the number of those diagnosed with anorexia and bulimia together, comprising the largest percentage of eating disordered individuals. Yet it is not as widely recognized and does not have its own designation in the current edition of the APA’s DSM.

“One of BEDA’s many goals is to champion for a BED designation in the APA’s next edition of the DSM, and we are making steady progress toward that goal,” says Turner. “We have spoken with the DSM eating disorder working group and are initiating a grass roots effort to support its inclusion in the APA’s DSM-V.”

The disorder is characterized by a variety of symptoms and can have life-threatening consequences. Behavioral and emotional signs that individuals with the disorder typically exhibit include consuming large amounts of food during a binge; eating when full; eating rapidly during a binge; frequent eating alone, at night, or in secret; hoarding food and hiding empty food containers; feeling depressed, disgusted, or upset about eating; feeling out of control; depression; and anxiety.

Binge eating disorder is one of the leading causes of obesity in the U.S. It is estimated that 25 percent of the people in this nation who are obese have binge eating disorder, and 75 percent of those with binge eating disorder are obese.

Serious health complications that binge eating disorder may cause or be associated with include obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, gall bladder disease, cirrhosis, osteoarthritis, joint and muscle pain, gastrointestinal problems, depression, anxiety, and sleep apnea.

For more information about BEDA, its officers, and the BEDA 2010 National Conference, visit www.bedaonline.com.

Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) is a national organization focusing on the need to increase prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for binge eating disorder. Through education, outreach and support, and resources, BEDA is committed to facilitating awareness, quality of care, and recovery for those who live and those who work with binge eating disorder.