SUBJECTIVE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CEPHALIC PHASE RESPONSES TO FOOD IN OBESE BINGE-EATING WOMEN

Objective: The subjective and physiological cephalic phase reactivity to food was investigated in obese binge-eating women. Method: Eleven o bese binge-eating women and 10 obese nonbinge-eating women participate d in a cephalic phase response rest consisting of baseline, anticipati on, food exposure, and free eating periods. Serum insulin, free fatty acids, and plasma glucose concentrations as well as salivation, feelin g of hunger, and desire to eat were repeatedly measured during the tes t Results: During the food exposure, the binge eaters reported more de sire to eat than did the nonbinge eaters. No differences were found be tween the groups in the physiological cephalic phase responses except for the lower salivation in the binge eaters during the food exposure. The amount of food eaten after the food exposure was similar in both groups. Discussion: Binge-eating women are characterized by stronger s ubjective but not stronger physiological cephalic phase reactivity to food. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.