Abstract
Unhealthy diet and alcohol are serious health problems, especially in adolescents and young adults.
“Binge” is defined as the excessive and uncontrolled consumption of food (binge eating) and alcohol (binge
drinking). Both behaviors are frequent among young people and have a highly negative impact on health and
quality of life. Several studies have explored the causes and risk factors of both behaviors, and the evidence concludes
that there is a relationship between the two behaviors. In addition, some research postulates that binge
eating is a precipitating factor in the onset and escalation of excessive alcohol consumption, while other studies
suggest that alcohol consumption leads to excessive and uncontrollable food consumption. Given that no review
has yet been published regarding the directionality between the two behaviors, we have set out to provide an upto-
date overview of binge eating and binge drinking problems, analyzing their commonalities and differences, and
their uni- and bidirectional associations. In addition, we explore the reasons why young people tend to engage in
both behaviors and consider directions for future research and clinical implications.
Keywords:
Unhealthy diet, alcohol, health, binge eating, binge drinking, review, directionality.
[4]
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association 2013.
[37]
Croteau V, Morrell JS. 2019.
[47]
Ortega RO, Chapela IB, Santoncini CU. Disordered eating behaviors and binge drinking in female high-school students: The role of impulsivity. Salud Ment 2012; 35(2): 83-9.
[71]
Sneider JT, Cohen-Gilbert JE, Crowley DJ, Paul MD, Silveri MM. 2013.
[94]
Substance Abuse Treatment: Addressing the Specific Needs of Women Knowledge Application Program (Keys) for Clinicians. Rockville: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2014.
[108]
Lupi M, Acciavatti T, Santacroce R, Cinosi E, Martinotti G, Di Giannantonio M. “Drunkorexia”: a pilot study in an Italian sample. Res Adv Psychiatric 2015; 21: 28-32.
[120]
West R, Brown J. Theory of addiction. 2nd ed. Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley Blackwell/Addiction Press 2014.
[125]
Iacovino JM, Gredysa DM, Altman M, Wilfley DE. Psychological Treatments for binge eating disorder 2012.
[130]
Blanco-Gandía MC, Cantacorps L, Aracil-Fernández A, et al. Effects of bingeing on fat during adolescence on the reinforcing effects of cocaine in adult male mice 2017.
[148]
Fairburn CG, Cooper Z. The eating disorder examinationBinge eating: Nature, assessment and treatment. 12th ed. New York: Guilford Press 1993; pp. 317-60.