Table 1.

Diagnostic criteria (reduced version) of BED and differential eating disorder diagnoses according to DSM-5.

Criterion	BED	BN	AN
A	Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both: Eating in a discrete period of time, an amount of food that is definitely larger than what most individuals would eat A sense of lack of control over eating	Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both: Eating in a discrete period of time, an amount of food that is definitely larger than what most individuals would eat A sense of lack of control over eating	Restriction of energy intake relative to requirements, leading to a significantly low body weight
B	Binge eating episodes are associated with three or more of the following: 1. eating much more rapidly 2. feeling uncomfortably full 3. not feeling physically hungry 4. alone because of feeling embarrassed 5. Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty afterwards	Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications, fasting, or excessive exercise.	Intense fear of gaining weight or of becoming fat, or persistent behaviour that interferes with weight gain, even though at a significantly low weight.
C	Marked distress regarding binge eating is present.	The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors both occur, on average, at least once a week for 3 months.	Disturbance in the way in which one’s body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body weight or shape on self-evaluation, or persistent lack of recognition of the seriousness of the current low body weight
D	The binge eating occurs, on average, at least once a week for 3 months.	Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.
E	does not occur exclusively during the course of bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa	does not occur exclusively during episodes of anorexia nervosa
Specifier			Restricting type: During the last three months, the individual has not engaged in recurrent episodes of binge eating or purging behaviour; weight loss is accomplished primarily through dieting, fasting and/or excessive exercise. Binge-eating/purging type: During the last three months the individual has engaged in recurrent episodes of binge eating or purging behaviour.

AN: Anorexia Nervosa, BED: Binge Eating Disorder, BN: Bulimia Nervosa. Similarities between BED and BN (green), similarities between BN and AN (purple) and differences between BED and BN/AN (blue)

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.