Improved eating behavior in eating-disordered inpatients after treatment: documentation in a naturalistic setting.
OBJECTIVE
Abnormalities of eating behavior are definitional components of eating disorders (ED), but are seldom observed directly. This study assessed abnormalities of eating behavior in ED patients before treatment and documented changes after multidisciplinary treatment.


METHODS
Thirty-three ED patients (13 ANR, 10 ANB, 10 BN) and 10 controls selected a lunch meal in a cafeteria before and after treatment with energy intake (kilocalories) and macronutrients covertly observed. Visual analog scales (VAS) measured hunger and satiety.


RESULTS
Before treatment, all ED patient groups experienced low hunger and high fullness, compared to controls. After treatment, hunger increased and satiety decreased. ANR patients, after treatment, increased energy intake from 366 to 916.5 kcal (p < .001), while BN patients increased from 409.9 to 663 kcal (p = .03). ANB nonsignificantly increased. ANR chose significantly more fats (22.7% to 36.2%, p = .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment partially normalizes pre-meal hunger and satiety in ED patients and significantly improves eating behavior (total energy intake and fat content) in ANR and BN patients. Reasons for nonsignificant changes in ANB are not obvious. We recommend documentation of eating behavior by simple, inexpensive, observational methods in a naturalistic setting before and after treatment of ED patients.
Andersen
A E
AE
Eating Disorders Clinic, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA.
Stoner
S A
SA
Rolls
B J
BJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004041:Dietary Fats; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger
D004041:Dietary Fats