In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, binge-eating disorder (BED) is classified as episodes of binge eating while not being hungry, eating too fast until feeling uncomfortably full, or eating in solitude with feelings of shame and disgust after eating, without compensatory mechanisms. The controversial disorder food addiction (FA) is characterized by overconsumption, cravings, failure to cut down on amounts of food, and withdrawal and tolerance to overeating. In this narrative review, we aimed to comprehensively characterize and compare BED and FA. We searched PubMed using the keywords “binge-eating disorder” and “food addiction.” We finally included 51 publications according to topic specificity, credibility, the authors’ reputation, and non-bias criteria. BED is characterized by concerns about dietary issues, body shape, and weight as well as depressive symptoms and brooding rumination. FA can be divided into substance addiction and behavioral addiction, which can be differentiated using a list of criteria including hunger, taste, pleasure, function of food, loss of social connections, weight concerns, and awareness about the disorder. Further research is needed to further characterize and distinguish BED and FA.

Introduction: A broad spectrum of research involving stress and stress protocols has long proven that a point of anhedonia, social defeat and learned helplessness can be achieved and observed – with anhedonia being a clinical symptom of Anxiety, Depression and Bipolar Affective Disorder. Aim: The aim of this study is the development of a simplified protocol for anhedonia induction in NMRI male mice in order to shorten the period of mice suffering and decrease complexity of the procedure for other researchers and introduction of new parameter in order to achieve better standardization of results. Materials and Methods: 21 male NMRI mice were introduced to 2 different stress protocols (one found in literature and one simplified) where cognitive- behavioral status was tested using the Sucrose Preference Test, Open Field Test, Grooming Pattern and histological examination of adrenal glands, and to propose a new protocol for fellow researchers. Results: Results observed include the successful induction of anhedonia proven by Sucrose Preference Tests, Barbering effect and microhemorrhage of the adrenal glands. Simplified protocol showed superiority compared to the one found in literature. Conclusion: Simplified protocol showed higher efficiency and reduced amount of work during testing phase. Introduction of NMI as a new parameter during behavioral evaluation resulted in better standardization of measured SPT values that incorporates common knowledge of mammal physiology. A big developmental step was the introduction of the Normalised Mass Index to even out mass fluctuations and differences in basal metabolism, which we recommend to other researchers and institutions.

Introduction. Binge eating disorder, as a fairly new disorder, has recently been added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5, and it is characterized by recurrent and frequent episodes of eating large quantities of food in a short time frame. The aim of this study was to associate binge eating disorder with obsessive-compulsive disorder and food addiction, which is crucial for understanding and appropriate treatment of patients. Material and Methods. We reviewed the literature from PubMED database from January 2000 to May 2021 using the keywords: binge eating disorder, binge eating disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, binge eating disorder and food addiction, and food addiction, in both English and German language. Results. Binge eating disorder, as part of the cycle of obsessive-compulsive disorder, may be considered obsessive thinking about weight, appearance or bad mood, where hunger and satiation is replaced by compulsion and loss of control, ritual eating, and secret eating. Furthermore, binge eating disorder may cause food addiction and this paper shows that addiction to high sugar and high fat products can lead to addiction behavior by habituation of certain points in the dorsal nucleus. This division is of major importance to establish proper treatment protocols. Conclusion. Binge eating disorder is closely related to obsessive-compulsive disorder and addiction to behavior and substances. Further research should focus on identifying the largest subtypes and classifications of binge eating disorder.