Appetite Test Research Articles

Perception of appetite and weight change during treatment for depression

As part of the Pittsburgh Appetite Test ©, 50 depressed outpatients reported their perceptions of appetite and weight change prior to and during chronic treatment with imipramine and psychotherapy. At the end of 4 months, as a group, patients were significantly more conscious of what they were eating, and reported a significant change in the frequency of regular meal consumption. No group changes were noted in frequency of snacking or late night eating, although weight change during treatment and obesity status modified these responses. Clinical response was unrelated to eating behavior. Perception of weight change varied with treatment: a 5 pound weight gain became highly problematic during recovery compared to the depressive episode. The interaction of these factors and antidepressant-induced weight gain are discussed.

Imipramine treatment and preference for sweets

Antidepressant-induced changes in food preference were investigated in a group of 40 depressed patients before and during treatment with imipramine. As part of a validated survey, the Pittsburgh Appetite Test ©, self-reported food preference was categorized by both nutrient and hedonic properties to define individual response. After 4 months of treatment, 14 patients (35%) expressed a clear desire for high-carbohydrate/high-fat foods with a sweet taste. Within this group, eight patients already preferred these foods while medication-free, while six subjects demonstrated a change in preference to these foods during treatment. The other 26 patients (65%) showed no consistent changes in food preference. These results suggest that while approximately one-third of imipramine-treated patients report a preference for sweets, only 15% actually developed this preference during treatment.

Characteristics of abnormal food-intake patterns in children with Prader-Willi syndrome and study of effects of naloxone

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is characterized by morbid obesity and abnormal appetite. It has been suggested that appetite is reduced by the administration of the opioid antagonist, naloxone. This has led to the hypothesis that appetite disturbance is a consequence of an abnormal hypothalamic response to appetite effects of endogenous opiates and opiate antagonist may be a useful treatment. To characterize the feeding patterns of PWS children and test this hypothesis, we administered an appetite test to 10 PWS children and 9 obese control children. We also examined the effects of naloxone on eating behavior of the children with PWS. While initial rate of eating did not differ, the PWS group showed a much delayed satiety resulting in a longer period of food intake. No difference in food intake was observed with naloxone (1.6 mg im, 30 min before the feeding test) treatment as compared with saline treatment.

Appetite and food preference in depression: Effects of imipramine treatment

A nutritional survey, the Pittsburgh Appetite Test (PAT), was developed to study potential changes in appetite and food preference reported by patients during a depressive episode and during antidepressant treatment. We examined a group of 50 depressed outpatients who were drug-free for 2 weeks prior to treatment with imipramine and psychotherapy for 4 months. A significant increase in the desire for “sweets” (carbohydrate-fat-rich foods) was observed during a depressive episode, compared to periods when patients recalled feeling well (retrospective data). During imipramine treatment, no further changes were observed in preference for either “sweets” or carbohydrates when compared to the medication-free period. Alterations in patient self-reports of appetite and body weight change were noted during imipramine treatment.