Final answer:
Binge Eating Disorder is recognized as a mental health condition, where individuals repeatedly binge eat and experience feelings of guilt afterward, without engaging in purging. It can lead to serious health issues such as obesity and high blood pressure, and is treated with counseling and medication.
Step-by-step explanation:
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a serious health concern characterized by recurring episodes of consuming large quantities of food paired with a feeling of loss of control during the binge. These episodes are accompanied by strong feelings of distress, such as guilt, shame, and embarrassment. Unlike bulimia nervosa, these binges are not followed by purging behaviors such as vomiting or excessive exercise, but they can lead to significant health problems, including obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
The condition was officially recognized by the American Psychiatric Association in 2013 and is included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, fifth edition (DSM-5). Treatment options for BED often involve counseling and medication aiming to address the underlying causes and prevent further health complications.