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Overeating generally refers to the long-term consumption of excess food in relation to the energy that an organism expends (or expels via excretion), leading to weight gaining and often obesity. It may be regarded as an eating disorder.
This term may also be used to refer to specific episodes of over-consumption. For example, many people overeat during festivities or while on holiday.
Overeating can sometimes be a symptom of binge eating disorder or bulimia.
Compulsive over eaters depend on food to comfort themselves when they are stressed, suffering bouts of depression, and have feelings of helplessness.
In a broader sense, hyperalimentation includes excessive food administration through other means than eating, e.g. through parenteral nutrition.
Treatment
Cognitive behavioral therapy, individual therapy, and group therapy are often beneficial in helping people keep track of their eating habits and changing the way they cope with difficult situations.
One organization that helps overeaters is Overeaters Anonymous, which operates a 12-step program. It is quite clear through research, and various studies that overeating causes addictive behaviors.
In some instances, overeating has been linked to the use of medications known as dopamine agonists, such as pramipexole .
See also
- Compulsive overeating
- Polyphagia
- Behavioral addiction
- Binge eating
- Food drunk
- Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think (book)
References
- Kessler, David A. The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite (2009) ISBN 1-60529-785-2