A new review of 41 studies spanning 1973 to 2023 finds that highly processed foods are present in roughly seven out of ten foods reported during binge episodes, while minimally processed foods account for a much smaller share. It is very rare for people to binge on minimally processed foods alone.
The most common binge foods are highly processed products that repeat across decades: cake, ice cream, cookies, chocolate, pastries, pizza and chips. These items often combine refined carbohydrates and fats in ways that make them especially rewarding and easy to overconsume.
The authors — from the University of Michigan, the University of Kansas and Michigan State University — say research has largely treated binge eating as a psychological or behavioral problem and has paid less attention to the nature of the foods. They argue the results could reshape prevention and treatment by encouraging clinicians, families and policymakers to consider how highly processed foods influence binge eating. The study appears in the International Journal of Eating Disorders.
Difficult words
- binge — a short time of eating a lotbinge episodes
- processed — changed by industry with many added ingredientshighly processed, minimally processed
- carbohydrate — a sugar or starch found in many foodscarbohydrates
- overconsume — to eat or use more than needed
- clinician — a health professional who treats patientsclinicians
- policymaker — people who make public rules and lawspolicymakers
- prevention — actions to stop a problem before it starts
- rewarding — giving pleasure or a positive feeling
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think families can help reduce binge eating by changing the foods kept at home? Why or why not?
- What simple steps could clinicians or policymakers take to reduce the influence of highly processed foods?
- How would you change prevention or treatment if processed foods are common in binge episodes?
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