Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Patients with Binge Eating Disorder and Obesity: What the Endocrinologist Needs to Know

Abstract

Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder categorized in the DSM-V, but it is often not diagnosed in patients with obesity because it can be difficult to detect in these patients who often have altered eating patterns. In this narrative review, we have highlighted the most recent findings in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with BED and obesity. The results of our search showed that many BED patients are not obese, and most people with obesity do not have binge behavior. In the diagnostic assessment of these patients, it is important to evaluate not only the clinical and nutritional status and the presence of medical comorbidities, but also the psychological signs and symptoms related to psychiatric comorbidities to define the appropriate diagnosis and the consequent level of treatment. Well-tolerated drugs with action on both body weight and binges can be useful as a second-line complement to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Specific guidelines are needed to obtain consensus on appropriate recommendations in patients with obesity and BED approaching bariatric surgery, taking into account not only weight reduction and clinical data, but also eating behaviors. Identification of BED is important for targeting individuals at high risk of obesity, adverse metabolic patterns, and cardiovascular disease. The challenge is to also achieve lasting weight loss in patients with BED and concomitant obesity.