Research on energy expenditure in individuals with eating disorders: a review.
OBJECTIVE
This study reviews the published research on energy expenditure in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED).


METHODS
Individual studies are reviewed and their results summarized.


RESULTS
The most consistent finding is a reduction in resting energy expenditure (REE) in patients with AN, which increases with increased energy intake and body weight. Data regarding BN are inconsistent. Three available studies in subjects with BED have not found evidence of changes in energy expenditure corrected for lean body mass compared with obese non-binge eaters.


CONCLUSIONS
The ability to measure REE reliably and cost-effectively may aid in the refeeding of patients with AN in whom REE is reduced. Changes in individuals with BN and BED have yet to be consistently identified.
de Zwaan
Martina
M
The Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Fargo, North Dakota 58107, USA.
Aslam
Zaheer
Z
Mitchell
James E
JE
D004734:Energy Metabolism; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans