title: Eating attitudes and behavior throughout the menstrual cycle in obese women: a case-control study.
abstract: Premenstrual variations of eating behavior are reported in several studies, but their relationship with mood is unclear. Eating behavior and physical and psychological complaints during the menstrual cycle were studied in 107 obese patients and 93 matched controls using retrospective (Weekly Bulimic Test Edinburgh, W-BITE and Premenstrual Assessment Form, PAF) and prospective (Daily Rating Form, DR) questionnaires. Eating disorder symptoms increased in the premenstrual phase, as shown by the W-BITE scores both in patients (6.2 +/- 5.3 premenstrual week vs 4.9 +/- 4.4 postmenstrual week, p < 0.05) and in control subjects (4.9 +/- 4.1 premenstrual week vs 4.2 +/- 3.0 postmenstrual week, p < 0.05) and were correlated to premenstrual complaints in control subjects (r = 0.5; p < 0.05) but not in obese women (r = 0.2; p = NS). A close relationship between physical and psychological premenstrual disturbances was observed in obese patients only. Premenstrual variation of eating behavior could be the target of specific treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurologic and Psychiatric Sciences, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zucchi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mannucci
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ricca
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giardinelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Bernardo
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pieroni
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Susini
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cabras
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Rotella
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004435:Eating / Q000523:psychology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000523:psychology; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000523:psychology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales