Written by: Samantha DeCaro, PsyD
Director of Clinical Outreach and Education at The Renfrew Center
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) affects millions of people worldwide and yet it remains cloaked in misconceptions. In this blog, we will explore five common stereotypes that spread harmful myths about BED and explore the importance of understanding this disorder beyond surface-level assumptions.
What is Binge Eating Disorder (BED)?
Binge Eating Disorder (BED), now formally recognized in the DSM-5, is the most prevalent eating disorder. Despite its widespread occurrence and serious medical and psychological consequences, BED remains widely misunderstood – largely due to stigma and bias. BED is defined by recurring episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food within a discrete timeframe, accompanied by a sense of loss of control. To meet diagnostic criteria, these episodes must occur at least once a week for three months and include the presence of certain behaviors such as eating rapidly, eating past fullness, eating when not physically hungry, eating alone due to shame, or feeling guilt or disgust afterward. It’s associated with various medical complications, co-occurring emotional disorders, body dissatisfaction, and a lower quality of life. In this blog, we’ll explore five common stereotypes that contribute to stigma and misinformation about this complex disorder.
Stereotype #1: BED Is Caused by a Lack of Willpower
BED is a complex psychiatric disorder – it’s not a choice and its symptoms cannot be stopped by sheer willpower or self-control alone. Currently, there is no single known cause that is necessary and sufficient for the development of BED. Research suggests that BED is partly heritable, however genetics are only one piece of the puzzle. A variety of risk factors can contribute to the onset and persistence of BED symptoms. Understanding the highly complex interplay between genetics, biology and brain function, culture, and life experiences can potentially reduce shame for those in recovery, foster compassion, and challenge harmful stereotypes.
READ MORE: Compulsive Eating vs. Binge Eating Disorder
Stereotype #2: BED Only Happens to People in Larger Bodies
Eating disorders can affect anyone at any shape, size, or weight. Appearance is not a reliable indicator of whether someone is struggling with an eating disorder, nor does it reflect the severity of their symptoms. This stereotype perpetuates harmful biases within the medical and mental health fields, often delaying or preventing individuals from receiving proper screenings, diagnostic assessments, and early intervention. These biases can cloud clinical judgment, particularly when a restrictive eating disorder may be overlooked in someone who doesn’t appear to be “underweight”. Additionally, stereotypes like these contribute to weight stigma by promoting the false and damaging belief that people in larger bodies are inherently unhealthy. Challenging these assumptions is essential for creating equitable, compassionate care and ensuring that all individuals receive the support they deserve.
READ MORE: “They Don’t Look Like They Have an Eating Disorder”
Stereotype #3: BED Isn’t as Serious as Other Eating Disorders
BED is a serious psychiatric disorder associated with increased risks for medical complications – including metabolic issues such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, gastrointestinal problems, hormonal imbalances, and conditions like sleep disturbances. It is associated with intense feelings of shame and distress, and can significantly impair self-esteem, relationships, and overall quality of life. BED rarely exists in isolation – it commonly co-occurs with other psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, ADHD, a history of trauma, and elevated risk of suicidality. Importantly, individuals with BED – regardless of body size – may experience malnourishment and nutritional deficiencies due to their eating patterns. This makes the involvement of a registered dietician essential in providing evidence-based nutritional education and care. Effective BED treatment requires a specialized, multi-disciplinary approach that addresses the medical, psychological, and nutritional aspects of recovery. People with BED deserve support that meets the full complexity of this disorder, free from stigma and rooted in compassion.
Stereotype #4: People Need to Diet and Lose Weight to Recover from BED
At the root of BED, we often see dieting and the intentional pursuit of weight loss commonly used as attempts to stop binge eating or to cope with the daily harms of weight stigma and discrimination. Restrictive diets often fuel the disorder by creating a sense of scarcity, increasing preoccupation with food, and intensifying urges to binge in the future. Effective BED treatment does not use weight as a marker of progress, but rather prioritizes symptom reduction, emotional resilience, and consistent nourishment. BED, like all eating disorders, is deeply rooted in emotional distress. Binge eating episodes often serve as a temporary strategy to manage overwhelming feelings or to numb discomfort. This pattern of emotional avoidance paradoxically increases distress, damages self-confidence, and decreases emotional resilience in the long run. Compassionate, evidence-based care focuses on helping individuals recognize emotional patterns, improve emotional tolerance, and respond to their feelings in more adaptive ways. Treatment may also include processing unresolved trauma, practicing exposure to feared binge foods, rebuilding connections, and redefining identity and worth beyond weight and appearance. This emotion-focused approach helps individuals move toward recovery without dieting or experiencing the harmful effects of weight cycling. A registered dietician can provide education around the types of irregular eating that maintain the binge eating and help design a meal plan to nourish the body and interrupt the cycle.
READ MORE: Finding Peace with Your Post-Recovery Body
Stereotype #5: Only White Women Struggle with BED
Research suggests that adolescent and young adult women are generally at higher risk for eating disorders. However, eating disorders can affect anyone of any age, background, or gender. When it comes to BED, the number of males and females affected is roughly equal, and transgender and gender-diverse individuals are at particularly elevated risk. Research also shows that black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) experience BED at similar or even higher rates than white individuals, yet they are significantly less likely to be diagnosed or to receive treatment. Studies also show that men are less likely to seek help for an eating disorder – especially when they experience internalized shame or don’t believe they fit the stereotypical profile. In mainstream media, eating disorders are often portrayed through the narrow image of a thin, young, white female with anorexia. These stereotypes contribute to stigma, silence, and underdiagnosis – especially among boys, men, BIPOC, transgender, and non-binary individuals. Challenging these assumptions is essential to improving early detection, access to care, and inclusive treatment for all people with eating disorders.
Conclusion
Challenging the stereotypes surrounding BED is not just important – it’s essential. These myths and misconceptions don’t just distort public understanding; they actively harm those living with the disorder by reinforcing shame and creating barriers to care. Whether you’re someone struggling with BED, a loved one offering support, or an eating disorder provider working to make a difference, your voice matters in dismantling these harmful narratives. By replacing judgment with compassion and misinformation with truth, we create space for healing, equity, and deeper connection.
If this blog resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone who may benefit. Start a conversation, speak up when you hear misinformation, and continue learning. Together, we can ensure that everyone affected by BED has access to the validation, support, and care they deserve.
Struggling with disordered eating or body image? The Renfrew Center provides compassionate care for all bodies. Contact us today to get started.
If you, a loved one, or a patient is experiencing an eating disorder, help is available. Contact The Renfrew Center’s team by phone at 1-(800) 736-3739 or complete our online form.
