National Eating Disorder Information Centre - Know the Facts - Definitions:

"Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Individuals with binge eating disorders eat excessive amounts of food at one time. They do this for two reasons:

They are very hungry because they have been dieting or restricting their eating in some way. The binge is a response to that hunger.

They over-eat to comfort themselves, to avoid uncomfortable situations, or to numb their feelings. The binge is an attempt to soothe themselves emotionally.

People who binge-eat are often ashamed and embarrassed. They also tend to be genetically heavier and larger than the 'average' person. They do not, however, generally try to compensate for their over-eating by vomiting, fasting, over-exercising or abusing laxatives as people with anorexia or bulimia may do.

Symptoms of binge eating disorder include:

• Eating large amounts of food frequently and in one sitting.
• Feeling out of control and unable to stop eating.
• Eating quickly and in secret.
• Feeling uncomfortably full after eating.
• Feeling guilty and ashamed of their binges.

In addition, people who binge eat may have a history of diet failures, and may also be obese. About one in five obese people engage in binge eating."