What condition is similar to binge eating disorder but affects children under 12 years old?

Loss of control eating disorder is recognized as a condition that closely resembles binge eating disorder but primarily affects children under the age of 12. In this disorder, children experience episodes where they feel a lack of control over their eating behavior, often leading to significant distress. Unlike binge eating disorder, which typically occurs in adolescents and adults, loss of control eating is uniquely identified in a pediatric population.

This condition is characterized by episodic consumption of large amounts of food, alongside feelings of guilt or shame but without a distinct pattern of compensatory behaviors (like purging) often seen in other eating disorders. Understanding this enables healthcare professionals and parents to intervene early and provide necessary support to children struggling with these eating behaviors, which is vital for their ongoing health and development.

Other choices do not specifically focus on the pediatric aspect or lack the distinct symptoms that align closely with binge eating disorder as experienced by younger individuals. For instance, night eating syndrome pertains to behaviors related to eating during nighttime hours while hoarding disorder involves the excessive accumulation of items and is not related to eating behaviors at all. Compulsive overeating disorder generally describes a broader pattern of overeating without precise criteria established for children under 12.