Vomiting as a learned weight-control technique in bulimia.
Twenty-seven consecutive patients presenting with binge eating and vomiting were systematically questioned about the circumstances surrounding the onset of their vomiting habit. Twenty-four were able to specify and describe a particular incident to which they attributed the idea of vomiting as a weight-control method. The nature of the reported incidents supports the hypothesis that vomiting in those patients is a learned maladaptive behavior which is frequently inadvertently taught by well-meaning friends, relatives and professionals. These findings indicate the necessity of evaluating the risks as well as the benefits of public education.
D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology; D001835:Body Weight; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014839:Vomiting / Q000523:psychology*