THE EFFECT OF SHORT-TERM FOOD-DEPRIVATION ON THE REINFORCING VALUE OFCOFFEE IN BULIMIC AND CONTROL WOMEN

The effect of short-term food deprivation on the reinforcing value of coffee was examined, utilising behavioural choice methodology. Four wo men with bulimia nervosa and six healthy controls underwent one food-d eprivation day (19 hours) and one nondeprivation day. Subjects made si gnificantly more attempts to earn coffee, earned more points toward co ffee, and drank more grams of coffee when food deprived than when nond eprived. The effect was observed in both bulimic and control women. Th ere was a significant diagnosis-by-deprivation interaction with refere nce to grams of coffee consumed, with bulimic women consuming over twi ce as much coffee when deprived than nondeprived. The results are disc ussed with reference to the role of food deprivation in the pathogenes is of substance abuse.