CHEAR Center for Healthy Eating and Activity Research

03/10/2026

People often want a clear cause.
The reality is more layered.

Binge eating disorder tends to develop from a mix of:
→ Biology and how your brain responds to food cues
→ Emotional stress, trauma, or chronic pressure
→ Dieting or restriction that intensifies hunger and cravings
→ Co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety or depression → Sometimes, family history

BED isn’t a personal failure.

It’s how the brain and body adapt to repeated stress and cues over time.

Understanding this can be the first step toward healing — without blame.

https://bit.ly/4kkFhVp

03/09/2026

Here’s something people don’t always realize:
Binge eating disorder can happen at any weight.

Someone can have BED and be at a “healthy” weight by medical standards. Someone can have BED and experience weight gain. Someone can have BED and be underweight.

Weight doesn’t define this mental health condition.
Behaviors and emotional patterns do.

If you’ve been told you “don’t look like you have an eating disorder” — that says more about misconceptions than it does about your experience.

Every body deserves care. Every struggle deserves support.

https://bit.ly/4kkFhVp

03/08/2026

Happy International Women’s Day. 💜

Today we celebrate the strength, resilience, and power of women everywhere. But we also want to hold space for a truth that too often gets overlooked:

Women are disproportionately affected by eating disorders — including binge eating disorder.

BED is the most common eating disorder in the United States, and research shows it is more prevalent among women. It often begins in late adolescence or early adulthood and can be shaped by a lifetime of messaging about how women’s bodies “should” look, how much space they’re allowed to take up, and what control over food is supposed to prove.

Diet culture, perfectionism, trauma, the pressure to do it all and look a certain way while doing it — these forces are real. And they take a toll.

Today, we honor the women who are choosing themselves. The ones quietly fighting battles no one sees. The ones taking the brave step of reaching out for help — or even just starting to wonder if help might be an option.

Strength isn’t just pushing through. Sometimes, strength is finally saying, “I need support.”

CHEAR sees you. CHEAR is here for you.

03/07/2026

A cancer diagnosis can bring many uncertainties, including questions about future fertility. Advances in care are helping more patients preserve their options and plan for the future.

Hear from H. Irene Su, MD, reproductive endocrinologist at UC San Diego Health, on how fertility preservation methods such as egg, embryo and s***m freezing are improving, and why experts recommend discussing fertility at the time of diagnosis and throughout survivorship.

Learn how the outlook for fertility preservation for patients with cancer is improving. ⬇️

Each year in the United States, about 90,000 adolescents and young adults (AYAs), ages 15 to 39, are diagnosed with cancer,1 and they are immediately faced with myriad challenges and disruptions in th...

03/06/2026

People with binge eating disorder often describe it like this:

→ Eating large amounts of food quickly — sometimes without even tasting it
→ Feeling unable to stop, even when physically uncomfortable
→ Eating in secret or when no one’s watching
→ Feeling numb or disconnected during the episode
→ Intense guilt, shame, or self-loathing afterward

This isn’t about being “too hungry” or lacking discipline.

Many people binge when they’re not even physically hungry — driven by stress, anxiety, or emotions that feel too big to hold.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not broken. You’re dealing with something real — and treatable.

https://bit.ly/4kkFhVp

03/06/2026

Blood in the stool. Persistent abdominal pain. Unexplained weight loss.

These symptoms don’t always mean colorectal cancer but they shouldn’t be ignored.

Samir Gupta, MD, gastroenterologist at UC San Diego Health and a nationally recognized expert in colorectal cancer screening and prevention, explains five warning signs to watch for and why screening starting at age 45 matters.

Know the early warning signs of colorectal cancer, when to get screened starting at 45, and why early detection can save lives.

03/05/2026

Innovation takes flight every day at UC San Diego Health, where we are advancing care for our region. ✈️

Our presence throughout San Diego International Airport reflects the same commitment we bring to our patients every day, guiding every health journey with innovation, expertise and compassion. No matter where life takes you, exceptional care is always part of the destination.

health.ucsd.edu

03/04/2026

March is full of ways to connect, learn and feel supported. 💙

The Patient & Family Support Services calendar at UC San Diego Health is packed with free support groups, wellness classes and educational workshops for cancer patients and caregivers.

The calendar also features disease-specific and caregiver support groups that create space for connection and shared experiences. Patients and families can participate in Mind & Body Wellness classes, including community exercise programs, and attend treatment education workshops designed to provide practical tools and trusted information throughout the cancer journey. Both in-person and virtual options are available.

https://health.ucsd.edu/care/cancer/support-services/support-groups-classes-workshops/

03/04/2026

Let’s say this clearly:

Binge eating disorder is treatable.

And full recovery? Absolutely possible.

With the right treatment plan — one built around your life, your needs, your patterns — you can find freedom from the cycle.
Not perfection. Not “willpower.”

Real, lasting change rooted in understanding and support.

If you’ve been stuck in the loop of trying to fix this alone… you don’t have to anymore.

Recovery is waiting.

https://bit.ly/4kkFhVp

03/04/2026

Meet Anh Nguyen, the San Diego woman who became UC San Diego Health’s first double living organ donor, giving a kidney to a friend and later part of her liver to a child in need.

🎥 Watch this CBS 8 San Diego interview to hear her incredible story of courage, compassion and life-saving generosity.

Looking to give or receive a second chance at life? Our expert surgeons at the UC San Diego Health Center for Transplantation have been performing successful heart, kidney, liver, lung and multi-organ transplants since 1968, including living donor kidney and liver transplants. With survival rates above the national average, we’re here to guide patients and donors every step of the way: health.ucsd.edu/transplant

Anh Nguyen made history as UCSD Health's first double living organ donor. Dive into her inspiring journey of saving two lives — one a friend, the other a stranger.

03/03/2026

March is National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme is “Discover the Power of Nutrition.”

We love this message — and we want to add something important to the conversation:

For people recovering from binge eating disorder, nutrition isn’t just about what’s on the plate. It’s about rebuilding an entirely new relationship with food.

It’s about learning to eat without guilt.

It’s about trusting your body’s hunger and fullness signals again.

It’s about letting go of rigid rules and discovering that nourishment can feel safe — even enjoyable.

At CHEAR, our registered dietitians work alongside therapists as part of a collaborative treatment team. They don’t hand you a restrictive meal plan or count your calories. They help you reconnect with food in a way that supports both your body and your mental health.

Because true nutrition isn’t about control. It’s about care.

This month, we celebrate the dietitians, clinicians, and care teams who help people heal their relationship with eating — one compassionate step at a time.

03/02/2026

“Please go get tested.” That’s the powerful message from prostate cancer survivor Jerry McCormick, and a vital reminder from Rana McKay, MD, medical oncologist at UC San Diego Health, about the importance of early screening for Black men.

Prostate cancer affects Black men at higher rates, but it’s highly treatable when caught early. Starting conversations and getting screened could save lives.

“Please Go Get Tested”: Prostate Cancer Survivor, Jerry McCormick, urges Black men 45 years and older to get screened as soon as possible, because early detection could save their life.

03/02/2026

03/02/2026

One of the core approaches used at CHEAR is called Regulation of Cues — or ROC.

Here’s how it works:

ROC helps people notice and respond to internal cues (like hunger and fullness) and external cues (like highly craved foods or eating environments)…

Without panic. Without loss of control.

Rather than avoiding food, ROC helps you practice eating in a way that reduces urgency, fear, and emotional spirals over time.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about building a new relationship with food — one cue at a time.

https://bit.ly/4kkFhVp

02/28/2026

Strong bones don’t happen by chance; they’re built with the right kind of movement.

Whether you’re looking to prevent age-related bone loss or simply build a stronger foundation for the years ahead, the key is incorporating exercises that truly stimulate bone growth, like weight-bearing cardio and purposeful strength training.

Hear from experts like Susan Bukata, MD, orthopaedic surgeon at UC San Diego Health, on the workout strategies that actually build bones, and why consistency and progressive overload are key to keeping your skeleton strong at every age.

Strengthen and reduce fracture risk with this routine that combines weight-bearing, resistance, and impact exercises.

02/28/2026

Binge eating disorder is different from bulimia and anorexia — and understanding that difference matters.

With BED, binge eating episodes are NOT followed by purging behaviors.

People with BED aren’t trying to “undo” the eating through vomiting, excessive exercise, or extreme restriction.

The cycle looks different. The emotional experience is different. And that means treatment is different, too.

If you’ve struggled to find answers because your experience didn’t match what you’d seen or heard before…

It might be because BED has been misunderstood for too long.

Specialized care makes a difference.

https://bit.ly/4kkFhVp

02/28/2026

Heart health isn’t just about the heart, it’s about blood sugar, kidney function weight and more.

Jia Shen, MD, cardiologist at UC San Diego Health, highlights why we need to rethink how we care for interconnected health before emergencies happen. Prevention now means healthier lives later.

The future of cardiovascular care is not waiting for emergencies to happen.

02/26/2026

Feeling disconnected? Your health may be paying the price.

Research shows that social isolation or having few social contacts or meaningful connections, is linked to a significantly higher risk of premature death, especially from heart disease and stroke. People with limited social interaction often face a nearly 30% greater risk of dying early compared to those with stronger social networks.

This isn’t just about emotional wellbeing, it’s about your physical health. Social connection influences stress, inflammation, lifestyle habits and even recovery from illness.

➡️ Tune in as Crystal Cené, MD, MPH, chief administrative officer and associate chief medical officer for Health Equity at UC San Diego Health, breaks down the science behind social isolation and mortality in this powerful podcast, and why connection is essential to long-term health.

Dr. Crystal Cené is a General Internal Medicine physician, implementation scientist, and Professor of Medicine at UC San Diego, where she also serves as Chief

02/26/2026

Before anyone ever seeks help, these are often the signs that show up:

In your eating habits: • Eating very fast or until painfully full • Eating large amounts when you’re not hungry • Feeling trapped in cycles of “I’ll do better tomorrow” • Avoiding meals with others

In your mind: • Strong anxiety around food decisions • Low self-esteem tied to eating or body shape • Feeling out of control around certain foods • Using food as your main coping tool

In your body: • Digestive discomfort • Low energy • Unexplained weight changes

You don’t have to check every box. But if several of these hit home — it might be time to talk to someone.

https://bit.ly/4kkFhVp

02/25/2026

A simple blood test could help uncover hidden alcohol-related liver damage before it becomes life-threatening.
Researchers at the UC San Diego School of Medicine have developed a new lab-based score, called MAPI, that uses routine bloodwork to detect when fatty liver disease may be driven by alcohol — even when alcohol use is underreported.

The study found this cost-effective tool outperformed commonly used tests and could help clinicians identify patients who need further evaluation and early intervention. With fatty liver disease affecting nearly 1 in 3 adults worldwide, earlier detection means more personalized care, fewer complications and better long-term outcomes.

“This new score gives clinicians a simple and accessible way to uncover hidden alcohol-related liver injury,” said Rohit Loomba, MD, senior author of the study, professor of medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine and gastroenterologist and hepatologist at UC San Diego Health. “By improving how we classify liver disease, we can help patients achieve better long-term health outcomes.”

Learn how this breakthrough could change liver disease screening and care. ⬇️

New blood test score helps detect hidden alcohol-related liver disease early, offering a simple cost-effective tool to guide timely care.

02/25/2026

Our patients in North County can now experience an expanded and refreshed clinical space, featuring more exam rooms, more primary care clinicians, on-site X-ray and Express Care — all under one roof in Vista.

We recently marked this expansion with a ribbon cutting to celebrate the teams leading the way in making high-quality, same-day care more convenient and accessible. As we continue expanding to be closer to you, and expanding options such as Express Care Video Visits, getting care for minor illnesses and injuries has never been easier.

Learn more about Express Care and same-day options: health.ucsd.edu/sameday

02/24/2026

Let’s clear something up:

Struggling with eating doesn’t mean you’ve failed.
It doesn’t mean you lack willpower.
It doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with you.

Many people go through periods where food feels complicated — where eating becomes more about coping than nourishing.

What usually raises concern isn’t one hard week. It’s when eating starts to feel out of control, emotionally draining, or impossible to break free from.

That’s not a character flaw. That’s your brain asking for help.
And help exists.

https://bit.ly/4kkFhVp

02/23/2026

This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week — and this year’s theme says it all:

“Fighting for Change, Committed to Change — Every Body Belongs.”

Eating disorders affect over 30 million Americans in their lifetime. They don’t discriminate by age, gender, body size, race, or background. And yet — too many people still struggle in silence, convinced they’re not “sick enough” or that their experience doesn’t count.

This week, we want to challenge that.

Every body belongs in this conversation. Every person struggling with their relationship with food deserves to be seen, believed, and supported — regardless of how their disorder looks on the outside.

At CHEAR, we believe that no one should have to reach a crisis point before receiving compassionate, evidence-based care. Whether you’re living with binge eating disorder, anorexia, bulimia, or any pattern of disordered eating — you belong here.

This week and every week.

02/22/2026

You don’t have to walk in certain.

Many people start by simply knowing:

• Eating feels harder than it should
• Food takes up too much mental space
• Shame or guilt keeps looping
• They want relief — not another reset

If that’s you, talking with a mental health professional can help you understand what’s going on.

No pressure to fit a label. No requirement to have it all figured out.

Just support to help you feel steadier, calmer, and more at peace with food again.

https://bit.ly/4kkFhVp