Binge Eating Behavior Analysis

While there are a good number of unhealthy behaviors I participate in as a college student, I would have to say my eating habits are the biggest issue for me. A close friend recently brought it to my attention that I have a slight problem with binge eating and snacking. I knew that eating a lot and snacking all the time was unhealthy, but I didn’t really think it was as problematic as she made it seem when she was talking to me. I feel like it would be beneficial to my self-confidence and physical health if I were to change this behavior. I kept track of my eating habits for one week, and noticed that my friend was right in saying that I was a little bit of a binge eater. I noticed that during the week I ate a lot more than I did on the weekends. …show more content…
Growing up, my brother and I were always told that we had to finish what was on our plates. We weren’t necessarily given large portions growing up, but as I grew, so did my portion sizes. This wasn’t just because I was growing though; I was very active. Up until about six months ago, I was always swimming or running, so I needed to eat more because I was burning a large number of calories. When the physical activity stopped, I didn’t adjust my portions, so the excessive eating was no longer necessary. Another reason this behavior has not ceased is that I simply love to eat. I love everything about and eating. I love trying new types of foods and indulging on foods that I already know I love. I always take more than I can eat because I get so excited for the meal. Once it’s all on my plate, I feel obligated to eat it all because of what has been instilled in me: don’t waste food. I also believe that sometimes I snack simply because others around me are eating or talking about food. My surroundings could contribute to a false feeling of hunger, causing me to eat when I don’t really need to. Eating becomes the social thing to do, especially during late nights at the