Text Link

Learn more about the results we get at Within

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Learn more about the results we get at Within

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

What is considered excessive eating?

The concept of “excessive eating” can be a tricky one to pin down, as it’s based on the idea that there’s a “normal” amount of eating. 

In reality, an "appropriate" or ideal amount of food varies from person to person, and even for the same person, it fluctuates from day to day, depending on several factors. 

However, there comes a point when eating patterns become disordered, and consuming large amounts of food after experiencing certain triggers, or when not feeling physically hungry, may be a sign that something deeper is going on.

9
 minute read
Last updated on 
July 2, 2025
July 2, 2025
Excessive eating
In this article

What is excessive eating?

"Excessive eating" is not a medical term. That means there is no medical definition of excessive eating. Even casually, the phrase is open to interpretation. Everyone likely has a different idea of what counts as "excessive."

One of the reasons it’s so difficult to define “excessive eating” is that people's nutritional needs can greatly vary. Different bodies have different hunger cues, different daily caloric needs, and different metabolisms, among other considerations, and these all depend on a number of interdependent factors, from a person’s regular activity level to their genetics.

Without an official definition to work from, it can also be difficult to discuss any causes of excessive eating. But in many cases, eating more than one is expected to can be linked to emotional distress, or more long-term concerns such as anxiety.

In cases where excessive eating is frequent and is routinely driven by anxiety, depression, or consistent mental, emotional, or social "triggers," it could be a sign of something more serious.

Excessive eating vs. binge eating

Many people may compare excessive eating to binge eating. But, while excessive eating is not a medical term, “binge eating” is medically defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), which is the list of all officially recognized mental health conditions. It exists as part of the definition for both binge eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa (BN), which both involve the behavior.

According to the DSM-5, a binge eating episode is defined by eating, within a distinct period of time (usually two hours), an amount of food that is "definitely larger" than what most people would eat in that time, under similar circumstances. They also involve a sense of loss of control over how much or what is consumed.6

Further, a binge eating episode is characterized by at least three of the following symptoms:6

  • Eating much more rapidly than normal
  • Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
  • Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
  • Eating alone, to hide the true amount one is eating
  • Feeling disgusted, depressed, or guilty after eating too much

To be officially considered part of binge eating disorder, binge eating episodes must occur at least once a week for three consecutive months.6 And to be considered part of bulimia nervosa, they must occur at least once per week, alongside compensatory purging behaviors, including self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, fasting, or laxative misuse.7

Physical consequences of excessive eating

Again, without a clear medical definition or known causes of excessive eating, it can be challenging to attribute the behavior to specific issues. However, regularly eating an excessive amount of food can contribute to certain health complications.

It's possible for someone who regularly consumes "excess" food to be at a greater risk of developing:8

  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • Certain types of cancer
  • Affect disorders, such as depression and anxiety
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Trouble sleeping or sleep disorders
  • Digestive issues
  • Muscle and joint pain

When someone experiences binge eating, they're at risk of similar medical concerns. Some binge eating episodes can add anywhere from an additional 5,000-15,000 calories to a person’s daily total.1

Tips to prevent excessive eating

While there are established ways to treat binge eating disorder, the most common eating disorder in the United States, there are not as many clear-cut treatment routes for excessive eating.1

These tips might help you or a loved one develop a deeper understanding of excessive eating and what could drive it, and give you tools to help regulate the behavior.

Practice mindful eating
Practice intuitive eating
Learn your hunger cues
Maintain a healthy diet and routine
Keep a food journal
De-stress
Seek therapy
Finding help for excessive eating at Within

At Within, we don't judge anyone's eating behaviors, but we understand that everyone needs help from time to time. If you're concerned about the frequency that you or a loved one are experiencing excessive eating or noticing symptoms of binge eating disorder, it's important to seek help.

Our team of experts comes from a number of backgrounds related to mental and nutritional health, and they can work with you to create individualized eating and treatment plans.

Contact us today to see how we can help you start moving toward a life free from an eating disorder.

Get help today

Disclaimer about "overeating": Within Health hesitatingly uses the word "overeating" because it is the term currently associated with this condition in society, however, we believe it inherently overlooks the various psychological aspects of this condition which are often interconnected with internalized diet culture, and a restrictive mindset about food. For the remainder of this piece, we will therefore be putting "overeating" in quotations to recognize that the diagnosis itself pathologizes behavior that is potentially hardwired and adaptive to a restrictive mindset.

Disclaimer about weight loss drugs: Within does not endorse the use of any weight loss drug or behavior and seeks to provide education on the insidious nature of diet culture. We understand the complex nature of disordered eating and eating disorders and strongly encourage anyone engaging in these behaviors to reach out for help as soon as possible. No statement should be taken as healthcare advice. All healthcare decisions should be made with your individual healthcare provider.

Resources

  1. Eating disorders. (n.d.) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Accessed November 2024.
  2. Trace, S. E., Thornton, L. M., Runfola, C. D., Lichtenstein, P., Pedersen, N. L., & Bulik, C. M. (2012). Sleep problems are associated with binge eating in women. The International Journal of Eating Disorders, 45(5), 695–703.
  3. Binge Eating Disorder. (n.d.) Cleveland Clinic. Accessed November 2024.
  4. Nelson, J. B. (2017). Mindful Eating: The Art of Presence While You Eat. Diabetes Spectrum, 30(3), 171–174.
  5. Are you really hungry? How to understand your hunger cues. (2020, April 7). Penn Medicine. Accessed November 2024.
  6. Berkman, N. D., Brownley, K. A., Peat, C. M. (2015). DSM-IV and DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for binge-eating disorder. Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality. Accessed November 2024.
  7. DSM-IV to DSM-5 Bulimia Nervosa Comparison. (2016). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Accessed November 2024.
  8. Definition & Facts for Binge Eating Disorder. (n.d.) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Accessed November 2024.

FAQs

Further reading

How to stop "overeating"

From holidays and celebrations to special occasions, many people indulge in eating a bigger meal than...

What is hyperphagia?

People with hyperphagia have an elevated, uncontrollable, and prolonged appetite for food, which usually...

How to overcome emotional eating after a loss

Loss and grief affect us in profound ways and can lead to emotional eating. Whether you’ve lost a loved...

How to stop emotional eating through therapy

Most people have some sort of emotional eating trigger. Eating becomes a way...

What is considered excessive eating?

The concept of “excessive eating” can be a tricky one to pin down, as it’s based on the idea that there’s a...

What are the causes of compulsive eating “overeating”?

Compulsive “overeating” is an eating disorder that’s typically characterized by...

The relationship between anxiety, depression, and overeating

Food is one of the most essential aspects of life, not only needed for survival, but involved deeply in...

Compulsive “overeating” disorder symptoms

Compulsive “overeating” is often confused with binge eating disorder (BED), the...

What is compulsive eating "overeating"?

While emotional eating and compulsive "overeating" are behaviors that occasionally...