Bulimia nervosa, restrained, and unrestrained eaters: a comparison of non-binge eating behavior.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated non-binge eating behavior in bulimia nervosa, restrained and unrestrained eaters.


METHODS
Nine females with bulimia nervosa, 12 female restrained eaters, and 13 female unrestrained eaters were administered the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2), the Body Shape Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Revised Restraint Scale (RRS). All subjects were videotaped during a midday meal and their eating behavior was subsequently rated using the Eating Behaviour Rating Scale (EBRS).


RESULTS
EBRS ratings were higher for bulimic than for unrestrained subjects. Restrained subjects' ratings did not differ from those of either bulimic or unrestrained subjects. EBRS scores were positively correlated with RRS and EDI-2 total scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Bulimic subjects display aberrant eating behavior, and the extent to which subjects engage in maladaptive eating behavior is related to the degree of eating pathology. These results support the utility of the EBRS as a useful index of eating behaviors in clinical and nonclinical populations.
Bourne
S K
SK
Psychiatric Unit, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Bryant
R A
RA
Griffiths
R A
RA
Touyz
S W
SW
Beumont
P J
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012016:Reference Values