SUBJECTIVE RESPONSES TO FOOD-INTAKE IN YO UNG-WOMEN WITH HIGH VS LOW COGNITIVE CONTROL OF EATING BEHAVIOR IN COMPARISON TO PATIENTS WITH BULIMIA-NERVOSA

Restrained eating has been discussed as a major risk factor in the eti ology and maintenance of bulimic eating disorders. 12 women with bulim ia nervosa, 12 female restrained eaters, and 12 female unrestrained ea ters were compared with respect to hunger and satiety before and after a standardized test meal. No group differences in hunger and satiety ratings were found immediately after the meal. During postprandial cou rse over 90 minutes bulimic patients as well as restrained eaters show ed significantly higher satiety ratings than the unrestrained controls . Bulimic patients showed a significant improvement of their mood afte r the meal, no such effect could be observed in the normal controls. T he results point to similar postprandial alterations of satiety respon ses in bulimia nervosa and restrained eaters. An altered emotional sig nificance of food intake, however, seems to be restricted to bulimic p atients.