I think I have a problem with overeating. What can I do? – Maya* The first thing is to figure out if your overeating is something that happens only once in a while or often. We all eat too much every now and then, like on holidays. But if you're overeating often, there are some things that might help you avoid doing so. For example, instead of eating when you're not hungry, find other ways to keep yourself busy, like taking a walk or talking on the phone. Put your food on a plate or in a bowl and sit down at the table to eat — don't eat out of a bag or container. And don't eat meals or snack while doing something else, like watching TV or doing homework. That's a set-up for overeating! Binge eating, also called compulsive overeating, is different from simply overeating. People with binge eating disorder feel a compulsion (a powerful urge) to overeat. They regularly eat large amounts of food and don't stop eating when they become full. With binge eating, a person feels out of control and powerless to stop eating while they're doing it. Then, they may feel guilty or ashamed afterward. If you think you may have an overeating problem, talk to a parent or doctor. Treatments are available that can help you feel better about yourself and have a healthy relationship with food. *Names have been changed to protect user privacy. Back to Articles Related Articles Nutrition & Fitness Center Visit our nutrition and fitness center for teens to get information and advice on food, exercise, and sports. Read More Managing Your Weight Has your doctor told you to lose weight? Get ideas on food, fitness, and staying motivated. We've also got weight management tools and recipes designed just for teens. Read More The Deal With Diets With all the focus on dieting, how do you figure out what's healthy and what isn't? Read this article to get the basics on dieting. Read More Emotional Eating We've all eaten a whole bag of chips out of boredom or while cramming for a big test. Learn more about emotional eating, and how to manage it, in this article for teens. Read More Binge Eating Disorder Binge eating is a type of eating disorder. This article for teens explains what it is, how to recognize it, and how to get help. Read More Body Image and Self-Esteem When your body changes, so can your image of yourself. Find out how your body image affects your self-esteem and what you can do. Read More Eating Disorders Eating disorders are so common in America that 1 or 2 out of every 100 students will struggle with one. Find out more. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.