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Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology

Compulsive Eating

Evidence-informed definition Updated May 13, 2026 How to cite this entry

Compulsive eating, also known as binge eating or emotional eating, refers to a pattern of consuming large quantities of food in a short period, often accompanied by a feeling of loss of control during the eating episode.

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Written by The Center for Nutritional Psychology
Reviewed by CNP Encyclopedia Editorial Board
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The Center for Nutritional Psychology. (2026). Compulsive Eating. In Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology. The Center for Nutritional Psychology.

https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/encyclopedia/compulsive-eating/
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