Binge eating became a recurring topic on BBB24 after model Yasmin Brunet reported that she faced the disorder within the program. The participant demonstrated discomfort when dealing with the disease in the reality show, in addition to being the target of jokes from another participant. Experts warn that the condition is serious and, if left untreated, can lead to several other health problems.
In 2017, Yasmin Brunet participated in an interview with nutritionist Luna Azevedo, where she revealed that, in episodes of sadness, she faces binge eating.
The eating disorder accompanied Yasmin within BBB24. On the program, the model has already said that she has been taking out her emotions and anxiety on food in an episode of binge eating.
“I am completely out of balance with my diet. I've had food issues and I'm putting absolutely everything into food, which I thought might be the case, but I didn't think it would be as intense as it is. It's really crazy, anyone who has food issues will understand this, you feel very full and empty at the same time.
At the X-Ray, Yasmin opened up about being anxious and, consequently, having binge eating attacks, something she had previously had. We reinforce the importance of talking about this topic seriously and respecting each person’s moment without judging their bodies! #BBB24 pic.twitter.com/152ofgeJMV
— Yasmin Brunet 🧜🏻♀️ (@yasminbrunet1) January 16, 2024
The participant also faces jokes from another participant about the condition she faces. Singer Rodriguinho went so far as to say that his sister will “come out on top” if she doesn’t stop eating so much, referring to the model’s weight gain.
People are uncomfortable, Rodriguinho saying that if Yasmin continues with her binge eating, she will leave BBB rolling, I felt her discomfort from here, completely embarrassed #BBB24 pic.twitter.com/LUXXrgsddy
— Guto Fraser (@gutofraser) January 14, 2024
At another point, the brother jokes about his sister having to wear a “gag” to keep from eating so much.
once again Rodriguinho talking about Yasmin because she is eating, how angry at this man pic.twitter.com/acvaYpYQbl
— cat 🧜🏼♀️ (@catarina4ss) January 16, 2024
Yasmin Brunet's reality affects many other people in Brazil. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 4.7% of the Brazilian population suffers from binge eating.
Environments that promote emotional imbalance, such as BBBB, can be major triggers for eating disorders, experts explain.
What is binge eating, anyway?
“Binge eating is a psychiatric disorder related to a serious loss of control over food intake”, explains Rodrigo Martins Leite, psychiatrist professor at the Institute of Psychiatry at USP, to CNN . “People with binge eating eat large amounts of food in a short period of time with a feeling of lack of control”, he adds.
It is important, however, to know how to differentiate an isolated episode of “eating disorder” from binge eating.
“Removing food or eating without hunger is within the spectrum of normality. Food activates pleasure and anxiety reduction circuits, reducing the sensation of stress or anguish. Disorder is when episodes of food intake are absolutely disproportionate and the person feels that they cannot stop or there is no option to stop eating. ”, highlights the psychiatrist.
According to Renata Farrielo, nutritionist specialized in eating disorders, binge eating episodes are associated with three or more of the following aspects:
- 1. eat more quickly than normal;
- 2. eat until you feel uncomfortably full;
- 3. eating large amounts of food in the absence of the physical sensation of hunger;
- 4. eating alone out of shame about how much you are eating;
- 5. feeling disgusting, depressed or very guilty after eating a large amount of food.
According to the professional, episodes occur, on average, at least once a week for three months.
Who has binge eating?
Renata Farrielo explains that there are predisposing factors to eating disorders, such as being female, as there is a greater prevalence of aesthetic pressure due to the standard body. Having a family history of the disorder may also be a factor.
Some personality traits can also interfere, such as having low self-esteem, a perfectionist profile and difficulty expressing emotions.
Furthermore, there are precipitating factors, as the expert explains: “Starting a restrictive diet, experiencing family conflicts or changes in routine, such as separation from parents, family losses and moving to another city can also have an impact and create a lack of control over eating.”
Psychiatrist Rodrigo Martins Leite also explains the influence of emotions on the disorder.
“The causes or triggers can be stress and negative emotions such as anguish, emptiness, hopelessness, anger or sadness. Many people who have the disorder have also had stressful life events, such as romantic breakups, financial problems, and childhood sexual abuse.”
According to him, the BBB24 environment can also instigate the disorder, like what has been happening with Yasmin Brunet.
“BBB is a very stressful context, related to heightened competition, toxic relationships and public exposure. In this way, it is the perfect scenario for the decompensation of mental and emotional disorders. All the triggers are concentrated there,” she highlights.
How to deal with binge eating?
The first step in any sign of binge eating is to seek medical experts to identify the disorder and define the best treatment. “The multidisciplinary team needs to have at least a psychiatrist, a psychologist and a behavioral nutritionist”, advises Renata.
Within nutrition, the behavioral approach is the most recommended. “It is important to focus on reducing and interrupting binge episodes, volume and frequency, and reestablishing a healthier and more balanced eating pattern. Without going to both extremes”, explains the nutritionist.
Another important point of nutritional and psychotherapeutic monitoring would be the identification and naming of emotions. “For example, if a patient turns to comfort foods like eating chocolate whenever they feel sad, frustrated or anxious, we can work with them to develop other activities or behavioral responses to those specific emotions. This is a joint effort between nutrition and psychology”, adds the professional.
If binge eating is not treated…
“It is not a rule, but many patients with binge eating disorder are obese and suffer associated medical complications, such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and sleep apnea”, concludes the nutritionist.
In addition to the physical consequences, there are also negative points for mental health.
“People with binge eating suffer a lot from relationship problems, employability and social stigma, especially women who are victims of an aesthetic standard that is eventually unattainable”, concludes the psychiatrist.
Source: CNN Brasil
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