THE EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM FOOD-DEPRIVATION ON CALORIC-INTAKE IN EATING-DISORDERED SUBJECTS

The primary aim of this experimental investigation was to examine the effects of short-term dietary restriction on caloric consumption in ea ting disordered subjects. Subjects with bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and overweight non-eating disordered subjects, attended a la boratory experiment during which they were randomly assigned to either a Ih or a 6 h food deprivation condition prior to being served a mult i-item buffet. The primary measure of interest was calories consumed d uring the laboratory experiment. Subjects deprived of food for 6 h con sumed significantly more calories at the buffet compared to subjects i n the 1 h food deprivation condition. However, caloric intake during t he entire laboratory day was not affected by the experimental manipula tion. Subjects in the longer deprivation condition apparently compensa ted at the buffet for the caloric restriction, but did not overcompens ate. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limited