Overeating occurs when an individual consumes more calories than the energy that is expended via physical activity or expelled via excretion, or when they consume food past the point of satiation, often leading to weight gain and often obesity. Overeating is the defining characteristic of binge eating disorder, and it can be a symptom of bulimia nervosa.
There are several 12-step programs that helps overeaters, such as Overeaters Anonymous or Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous and others.
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
- Counterregulatory eating
- Behavioral addiction
- Binge eating
- Food drunk
- Gluttony
- Polyphagia
- Fasting