The study was conducted on a sample of more than 2.1 thousand people. Of them, 492 declared that they had experienced problems related to binge eating or food addiction. Both of these disorders affected 162 people (7.63 percent).

'This is already a large nationwide sample and from this group, approximately 23 percent of people said that they had problems with their nutrition to the extent that it caused them stress, social problems or life problems in general', says Monika Stojek. PhD, a professor at the the Institute of Psychology, University of Silesia, head of the project financed by the National Science Centre, as part of which the study was conducted.

The researcher adds that this is a screening study, showing that someone is potentially experiencing a problem, but not sufficient to give a clinical diagnosis based on the answers to the questionnaires in the study.

As we read in the publication in "Scientific Reports", food addiction is defined as increased compulsive food intake, which may lead to a reduction in the enjoyment or pleasure derived from eating. People with this type of disorder report spending large amounts of time obtaining food, eating, or recovering from eating. They may feel the need to eat more meals to reduce negative emotions. They may also experience a negative mood or other physical symptoms when they stop eating.

In turn, binge eating is the occurrence of sudden episodes of excessive food consumption in a discrete period of time with a sense of lack of control over eating. These episodes may be preceded by emotional distress and could be a strategy to avoid disturbing thoughts and emotions.

In the discussed study, Jagoda Różycka and co-authors analysed the frequency of occurrence of the two disorders in the Polish population. They also examined the differences between them and the psychological differences between people with these disorders. The groups were compared in terms of BMI, but also, among other things, the intensity of depression and anxiety, stress, PTSD symptoms, negative childhood events.

Previous studies have already indicated the frequent co-occurrence of food addiction and binge eating episodes. However, there is little research on their combined symptoms. The clear differences between these disorders and the psychological characteristics of the people they affect are also not yet fully understood.

According to the publication, the appearance of symptoms of food addiction and binge eating may be influenced by factors such as early childhood stress (or traumatic events) and dietary differences resulting from these stressors.

'The group combining both of the discussed disorders showed the highest level of various types of emotional problems, e.g. depression, anxiety, increased stress, PTSD symptoms, compared to people who declared the occurrence of one of these disorders', Monika Stojek explains. 'It is also worth noting that the group reporting food addiction has higher PTSD symptoms than the group reporting binge eating'.

The researchers emphasise that the distinction between these groups is important because it will help to match appropriate psychological interventions to the specific needs of specific people.

'At the same time, while our respondents report problems, they mostly do not participate in psychotherapy, so they potentially need specialist intervention', the psychologist from the University of Silesia emphasises.

The researcher mentions that although almost all of us sometimes 'stress eat', it is not necessarily a red flag. 'However, it is worth paying attention to this problem if you feel that your eating behaviours have started to interfere with your life, for example with relationships with other people, when you avoid events or family gatherings because you know that there will be food there that you perceive as problematic. If you feel that you have to hide what you eat, how you eat, or how much you eat', she concludes.

Ewelina Krajczyńska-Wujec (PAP)

PAP - Science in Poland

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