The fashion industry has thrust eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia into the media spotlight. But a recent study by Harvard University-affiliated McLean Hospital has found that binge eating is more widespread and should be considered a "major public health burden".

"'Everybody knows about anorexia and bulimia, however, binge eating disorder affects more people, is often associated with severe obesity, and tends to persist longer,' said study lead author James Hudson."

The study was conducted for two years, and included more than 9,000 people. Of those 9,000, 3.5 percent of women and 2 percent of men admitted to having frequent uncontrolled eating binges, compared with 2.5 percent of women and 0.8 percent of men who reported struggling with anorexia or bulimia. Read more online.

Labels: binge eating, research