Overeating & Diet

A diet characterized by chronic overeating creates a host of health issues. Obesity is the most obvious and well-documented impact of overeating, however overeating can also generate serious health complications such as fatty liver, insulin resistance, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Overeating often masks deeper psychological and emotional issues, such as depression and anxiety, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Eating Disorders

The National Institute of Mental Health places acute bouts of overeating in the binge-eating disorder category. During binge-eating episodes, overeaters feel a loss of control. People with binge-eating disorder often carry excess weight, as purging, excessive exercise or fasting do not typically follow the binge-eating episode.

Anxiety and Depression

Those who overeat regularly often have additional psychological conditions including depression and anxiety. Depression often affects the appetite, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, causing extremes in eating behavior that can manifest as overeating.

Effects

Weight cycling, wherein a person gains and loses weight over and over again, is often a result of overeating. You may follow a healthy diet for a while and sustain significant weight loss, only to regain all of it, if not more, through resumed overeating. Researchers such as UCLA psychologist Traci Mann link persistent weight loss followed by weight gain to stroke, cardiovascular disease, and altered immune function.

Significance

According to the American Diabetes Association, 23.6 million American adults and children -- 7.8 percent of the population -- have diabetes. Each year there are 1.6 million new cases of diabetes diagnosed in people age 20 and older. Diabetes manifests a multitude of serious health complications, including kidney disease, blindness and amputation. Researchers have drawn correlations between diabetes and insulin resistance and overeating, poor diet and inactivity.

Portion Control

According to dietitian Sue Robbins, larger portion sizes cause people to overeat. In a study conducted at Cornell University, participants ate 53 percent more snack mix from a one gallon bowl compared to their counterparts who were served snacks in two half-gallon bowls. Smaller plates and bowls, and individually packaged snacks can help control portions. Robbins also suggests that when you're eating out, either split a meal, or ask for a doggie bag and put half your meal away before you start to avoid overeating.