The biology of binge eating.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the literature on binge eating to gain a better understanding of its biological foundations and their role in eating disorders.


METHODS
Literature review and synthesis.


RESULTS
Research using animal models has revealed several factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of binge eating. These factors, including stress, food restriction, the presence of palatable foods, and environmental conditioning, parallel many of the precursory circumstances leading to binge eating in individuals with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
The animal literature has opened a new avenue to aid in the understanding of the neurobiological basis of binge eating. Future endeavors examining the genetic and environmental correlates of binge eating behavior will further contribute to the understanding of the biological foundations of binge eating and assist with establishing diagnostic criteria and the development of novel treatments for eating disorders marked by binge eating.
Mathes
Wendy Foulds
WF
Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States.
Brownley
Kimberly A
KA
Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States.
Mo
Xiaofei
X
Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States.
Bulik
Cynthia M
CM
Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States; Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States. Electronic address: cbulik@med.unc.edu.
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D016739:Behavior, Addictive; D002032:Bulimia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D004777:Environment; D005508:Food Deprivation; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000503:physiopathology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications; D013649:Taste
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D004298:Dopamine