Weight Set Point Theory and Binge Eating Disorder

Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope

For individuals who struggle with a chaotic relationship with food, dieting might seem like a simple solution for getting things under control. However, dieting, in any shape or form, only contributes to more confusion about food, body and weight, and often leads to struggle against the body’s own genetics and intuition.

Dieting can also be a trigger that leads to more severe mental illnesses and eating disorders, including anorexia and bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.

Many individuals with eating disorders often fall within a weight range that is inappropriate for their body structure and type. This is a result of abnormal eating patterns and eating counter the body’s natural intuitive eating signals.

For example, a person who is struggling with binge eating disorder commonly eats beyond their natural point of fullness or eats a quantity of food that goes above what their body may actually need. Doing this repeatedly and ignoring natural cues of fullness can inevitably lead to weight gain, or an increase in weight beyond what may be normal for a person.

Weight Set Point Theory

The weight set point theory postulates that human beings have a pre-programmed weight range in which their body functions optimally. This is thought to be influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, and is highly individualized from person to person.

For this reason, it cannot be said that all women of a certain height, or all men of a certain height should weigh a specific amount. Each person is essentially programmed to stay within a set weight range, and the human body is typically resistant to changes that move weight outside of this range.

While not all individuals who struggle with binge eating disorder are overweight or obese, many people might feel uncomfortable with where their current weight it. It is important to know that dieting is not an answer or solution, and learning to eat mindfully and honor the body’s natural intuitive eating signals will help weight fall into a weight range that is appropriate for you.

Working with a team of treatment professionals can help guide you through this process and ultimately heal and manage binge eating.

Community Discussion –Share your thoughts here!

What are your thoughts on weight set-point theory and how this might impact someone with an eating disorder?

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Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work. As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.

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The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on November 2, 2015
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com