Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Dec 8: Emotional eating remains one of the most common and damaging responses to stress, say experts who spoke at a webinar on handling addictive behaviours. According to Dr Lakshmi Venkatraman, consultant psychiatrist and assistant director of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services at SCARF, many people turn to food as a coping mechanism, often leading to a guilt-driven cycle of overeating, low self-esteem and further binge eating.

She stressed that regular meals, including favourite foods in moderation, along with mindful eating practices, can help break this pattern. “When emotions push us to eat, addressing those emotions is key. Slow, mindful eating can prevent overeating,” she said.

Dr R.M. Anjana, managing director of Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, highlighted the significant health risks linked to binge eating. Citing multiple studies, she said that persistent bingeing — even once a week for three months — should be taken seriously. “Diet and physical activity alone can prevent 50% of diabetes. Binge eating accounts for nearly 15–20% of type 2 diabetes,” she noted.

Explaining the biological side, Dr P. Praveen Raj, consultant and head of Bariatric and Robotic Surgery at GEM Hospital, said obesity can stem from imbalances in gut hormones that regulate appetite and satiety. The first step, he said, is a detailed assessment. “We rule out psychological and pathological causes. Once the origin is identified, we can begin targeted treatment.”

The specialists were part of a panel at The Hindu webinar titled “The Binge: Learning to Handle Addictive Behaviours.”