Binge Eating Disorder: Compassion, Culture, and Divine Worth

At BYU–Hawaii, our student body represents a beautiful, global ohana from over 60 nations, with 30% of our student community joining us from the Philippines. Coming together from so many different cultures is a profound blessing, but navigating life far from home also introduces unique pressures. Between adapting to westernized environments, managing familial expectations, and interacting with modern social media platforms, it is easy to internalize conflicting messages about beauty, weight, and self-worth.

Your relationship with your physical appearance is known as body image. Understanding how to view your physical body through a lens of eternal truth rather than cultural or societal trends is essential for your mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

What is Binge Eating Disorder?

Binge eating disorder is characterized by regularly consuming unusually large amounts of food in a discrete period, accompanied by a profound feeling of a loss of control during the episode.
Unlike other eating disorders, individuals with BED do not regularly use compensatory behaviors—such as purging, fasting, or compulsive over-exercise—to "undo" the binge.

Recognizing the Signs

Behavioral

Eating much more rapidly than normal; eating until uncomfortably full; consuming large amounts of food when not physically hungry; or eating alone due to embarrassment over the quantity of food.

Emotional

Experiencing deep feelings of shame, guilt, depression, or severe distress immediately following a binge episode.

Cultural Misconceptions

In many global cultures—including many tightly knit Asian and Pacific Islander communities—sharing large meals is a central sign of love, hospitality, and celebration. Because of this, binging is often mischaracterized as just "loving food," a "big appetite," or simply fitting in. In reality, BED is a recognized medical and psychological condition, not a personal flaw or a spiritual failure.

Culturally Grounded Perspectives on Your Divine Value

When dealing with a loss of control around food, it is easy to fall into a cycle of self-blame, feeling that you are disappointing your family, your culture, or the Lord. It is vital to remember that your body is a sacred temple and your eternal worth is completely independent of your struggles or your physical form.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland offered powerful comfort regarding how we perceive ourselves and our challenges:

"I plead with you... to please be more accepting of yourselves, including your body shape and style, with a little less longing to look like someone else. We are all different."

True healing begins when we view our bodies and minds through a lens of divine love rather than cultural or societal judgment. In the For the Strength of Youth guide, the Lord reminds us of the sacred nature of our physical tabernacles:

"Your body is a divine gift from Heavenly Father... When you treat your body as a temple of God, you show love for Him."— For the Strength of Youth

Supporting a Friend or Roommate: Dos and Don'ts

Because food is deeply tied to community life at BYU–Hawaii, noticing when a peer is struggling requires immense sensitivity and kindness.

• DO speak with your peer privately and express your love. Focus on their emotional well-being rather than their weight or eating habits (e.g., "I've noticed you seem carrying a lot of stress lately, and I want you to know I'm here to support you").
• DO validate the heavy cultural transitions they are experiencing. Leaving home and adapting to a completely new culture can be incredibly lonely and isolating. Acknowledging how hard this transition is can build a bridge of trust.
• DON'T shame, lecture, or comment on their food choices, body size, or weight. Comments like "Why don't you just stop eating?" or casual remarks about weight changes can deepen feelings of isolation and shame.
• DON'T try to fix the problem yourself. Be a supportive companion who helps connect them to professional resources.

If you would like additional guidance on establishing healthy communication boundaries within your family, or if you want to explore more resources tailored to our international student community, please visit us at the Relationships & Family Development office.