Abnormal Eating Behavior Research Articles

Correcting the eating disorder in anorexia nervosa

The aim of the present study was to assess whether direct informational feedback using videotape recordings would improve abnormal eating behaviour in patients with anorexia nervosa. Eight inpatients participated in the study. A statistically significant improvement was noted in the occurence of obsessional eating behaviour and in table manners. However, there was no change in the speed of eating, disposal of food or behaviours which reduce caloric intake. The implications of these findings for the treatment and prognosis of anorexia nervosa are discussed.

Screening for abnormal eating attitudes and psychiatric morbidity in an unselected population of 15-year-old schoolgirls.

The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) have been validated in an unselected population of 15-year-old South London schoolgirls. Scores on the questionnaires were compared with the results of standard interview. The EAT was found to be an efficient screening instrument for abnormal eating attitudes and behaviour, whereas the GHQ was less satisfactory in its ability to screen for psychiatric morbidity in this age group than in adults. At the optimal cutting points, 6.9% of this population gave a positive response to the EAT and 19.3% gave a positive response to the GHQ. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the two sets of scores. Compared with their peers, girls giving a positive response to the EAT also reported that they missed more meals during the day and that their weight was more unstable.

Dietary follow-up patients treated for anorexia nervosa

Twelve adolescents hospitalized with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa had their diet and nutritional history evaluated 5 years later. Detailed dietary history was obtained for the previous one year using a standard dietary questionnaire and compared to a matching control group. At follow-up the average age of anorexics was 19.7 years and controls 20.8 years. Average weight was the same in anorexics and controls. There were no statistically significant differences in intake of key nutrients, percent of the minimum daily recommended allowance of each nutrient ingested, and food source of calories between anorexics and controls. Both groups exceeded recommended allowances for all nutrients except iron. High levels of vitamin A and ascorbic acid in the diet indicated frequent use of fruits and vegetables by subjects and controls. Unlike previous studies results did not indicate carbohydrate avoidance or abnormal eating behavior. Continued inadequate intake was not typical of these young women with a past history of anorexia nervosa.

Sucrose sensitivity in anorexia nervosa.

The known close relationship between taste and eating habits in the normal population led to the proposition that patients with anorexia nervosa might display an abnormal taste threshold for sucrose. The present study examines the sweetness taste sensitivity, by a two-alternative forced choice method, of six female anorectics (three at a low body weight in association with a self imposed low carbohydrate diet, and three gaining weight with re-feeding on a high carbohydrate diet) and six age/sex-matched controls. Overall, the anorectics did not demonstrate a specific abnormality of sucrose sensitivity but the anorectics on a high calorie re-feeding diet had a significantly lower taste sensitivity than those on a low calorie diet and also the group of control subjects. Moreover, the taste sensitivity of those anorectics plus controls also on a low carbohydrate diet was significantly higher than in those anorectics plus controls on a normal or high carbohydrate diet. Thus, the taste threshold of both anorectics and controls was related to their calorific intake. It would seem that the abnormal eating behaviour, in terms of restricted carbohydrate intake, of patients with anorexia nervosa is not a consequence of any primary abnormality of sucrose taste sensitivity. Rather it is that heightened sucrose taste sensitivity is a consequence of sucrose avoidance in both anorectics and normal subjects.

Progressive behavioral changes during chronic lidocaine administration: Relationship to kindling

Chronic, five times weekly administration of lidocaine (60 mg/kg, i.p.) to rats resulted in the progressive development of abnormal eating behavior and seizures. Experimental rats became omniphagic, eating significantly more feces, straw, and gauze than controls. Following an average of 15 lidocaine injections unassociated with seizures, animals began to have major motor convulsions, which then increased in frequency and duration. A pharmacological kindling mechanism is suggested for the progressive effects of lidocaine on behavior and seizures.