Chewing and spitting in eating disorders and its relationship to binge eating.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined (i) the frequency of chewing and spitting and (ii) its association with other pathological eating behaviors in eating-disordered inpatients. We hypothesized a positive association between chewing and spitting and binge eating given the phenomenological similarities between these disordered eating behaviors.


METHODS
Frequent chewers/spitters were compared with those who did not regularly engage in this behavior with regard to diagnosis, psychometric test results, and associated eating pathology.


RESULTS
Chewing and spitting was not associated with elevated bingeing. Rather, frequent chewers/spitters exhibited higher levels of restrictive eating behaviors and the behavior was more prevalent in younger patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrary to our predictions, chewing and spitting is more closely associated with restrictive than with binge behaviors. This suggests that most individuals chew and spit small portions of food. The behavior is frequent, occurs across diagnostic groups, and may be associated with greater psychopathology. Future studies should clarify the amount of food consumed during chew/spit episodes and the presence of a sense of loss of control.
Guarda
Angela S
AS
School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Aguarda@jhmi.edu
Coughlin
Janelle W
JW
Cummings
Molly
M
Marinilli
Angela
A
Haug
Nancy
N
Boucher
Michael
M
Heinberg
Leslie J
LJ
D000328:Adult; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014839:Vomiting / Q000453:epidemiology
D002400:Cathartics