It may be worthwhile you pointing your source to this website as acceptance is the first step too helping this mental illness.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention_seeking
Here's a little exert anyway, interestingly it mentions over eating as a trait too. Is this the case for your source?
"If as a child, the person did not receive much attention from their parents or their peers then they may grow up feeling neglected. Those feelings will then be the main drive behind the person's attention-seeking behavior.
Sometimes adults seek attention because of jealousy. When someone finds themselves threatened by another person who takes all the attention, they may respond with attention-seeking behavior.
Lack of self-esteem can be another cause for attention-seeking behavior. Some people think that they are overlooked and so they think that the only solution to restore their balance is to bring back the lost attention. The attention they will get in this case will provide them with reassurance and will help them think that they are worthy.
Narcissists are also attention seekers. They consider this attention a good source of narcissistic supply and so they strive to get it.
Hope this helps anyway