Competitive speed eating may be viewed as an exciting sport, a novelty or a repulsive waste of time. A person engaged in competitive speed eating may develop a number of complications.
The professional organization for speed eaters is the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE).
Most speed eaters will develop a large, flaccid stomach that is able to hold a large quantity of food. A downside is that the patient may lose awareness of when she or he is full and an inability to feel satiety.
Complications:
(1) ineffective gastric emptying secondary to gastroparesis and atony
(2) nausea and vomiting which may become intractable
(3) risk for morbid obesity and its complications (diabetes, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, etc)
(4) psychological comorbidities
A large, flaccid stomach may require a partial or total gastrectomy.
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