overeating n : eating to excess (personified as one of the deadly sins) [syn: gluttony, gula]

English

Noun

1. Gluttony, the act of eating to excess (either to discomfort or more than required for proper health).

Verb

overeating

1. present participle of overeat

Overeating is a behavior that, while generally not a medical problem, in some cases is a symptom of binge eating disorder or bulimia. In more general terms it refers to the persistent consumption of excess food in relation to the energy that the person expends, leading to weight gain and often to obesity. This may be a brief or short term process (many people overindulge generally during festivities or while on holiday) or a longer term process.

One organization that helps overeaters is Overeaters Anonymous, which operates a 12-step program.

Overeating has been linked to the use of medications known as dopamine agonists, such as pramipexole http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/parkinsons-disease/BN00043.

See also

• Binge eating
• Addiction