A Study On Overcoming Binge Eating - 1394 Words

Overcoming Binge Eating Binge eating is defined as â€Å"consuming an amount of food in a discrete period of time (e.g. 2 hours) that is definitely larger than what most people would eat in a similar amount of time under similar circumstances† (UpToDate). UpToDate surveyed adults in the United States and estimated that the lifetime prevalence of binging is 2.6%, and that the average prevalence in clinical samples (weight control programs) is 30%. The prevalence had no relationship to race, employment status, or marital status. Binging disorder is more common in women than men, probably due to the media’s preoccupation with weight loss and linking self-esteem to being thin. About half of the binge eaters of our country are overweight or obese,†¦show more content†¦Confident that no relapse will occur Variables There are ten variables that are used in this theory that result in strategies to help the person change. The following are three that directly relate to binging: 1) Dramatic relief: emotional arousal about the health behavior 2) Counter-conditioning: substituting healthy behaviors and thoughts for unhealthy behaviors and thoughts 3) Stimulus control: reprogramming the environment to have reminders and cues to encourage healthy behavior Goals two measurable goals were selected to be achieved over a four-week time period: 1) Decrease my binge eating behavior. This would be measured by the Binge Eating Scale. 2) decrease daily calorie consumption by 33.3% (1/3). Interventions In order to achieve the above-mentioned goals, three interventions were chosen that relate to the TTM. 1) Journaling 2) Self-monitoring 3) Meal Planning Journaling is a great way to stimulate emotional arousal about the negative health behavior. Binge eating decreased by about half when journaling was involved (Wild et. al., 2006). In order to change an unhealthy behavior, one must recognize the emotional ties that exist. Journaling about control of eating behavior, self