Salivary and cognitive reactivity to a highly palatable food cue were
examined in 19 women with bulimia nervosa, 19 restrained eaters and 19
unrestrained eaters. Salivary reactivity at presentation of the palat
able food varied significantly across the three groups but not baselin
e. Bulimic women displayed significantly less salivary reactivity than
either restrained or unrestrained eaters. Bulimic women were depresse
d and self-reported markedly greater anxiety (SUDS) at all points duri
ng the procedure. SUDS were not significantly correlated with salivary
reactivity. Depression as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory w
as significantly and inversely correlated with salivary reactivity. Po
tential cognitive and physiological explanations for decreased salivar
y reactivity in women with bulimia are discussed. (C) 1996 Academic Pr
ess Limited