International Journal of Eating Disorders via MedWorm.com

Risk factors, correlates, and markers in early-onset bulimia nervosa and EDNOS

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study aimed to investigate the specific risk factors, correlates, and markers associated with the development of symptomatology of early-onset BN and subclinical BN.Two semi-structured interviews were used to examine symptomatology and antecedent factors of bulimic symptoms in a sample of British adolescents.Adolescents with early-onset eating pathology were significantly more likely to report an earlier age of menarche than those developing the disorder at the typical age, and were found to have a different pathway of symptom development.Increased awareness of this may help identify those particularly at risk for developing an early-onset of eating pathology. Ent J Eat Disord 2010. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Source: International Journal of Eating Disorders)

The 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and eating disorders: A meta-analysis

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Eating disorders are influenced by both environmental factors and genes. The 5-HTTLPR polymorphism of serotonin transporter gene has been suggested as a good candidate. This meta-analysis was undertaken: (1) to investigate the association between 5-HTTLPR and eating disorders considered as a whole, including anorexia (AN), bulimia (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED); (2) to extend recently reported findings on the association between 5-HTTLPR and AN-BN.PubMed, ISI, and PsycINFO databases were searched for studies published until October 2009. Fifteen studies have been included. Data were analyzed with the Cochrane Collaboration Review Manager Software. Quality of studies and publication bias were assessed.An association between S allele and eating disorders, in particular AN, has been fo...

Sodium oxybate in the treatment of binge eating disorder: An open-label, prospective study

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

To assess preliminarily the effectiveness of sodium oxybate in binge eating disorder.This was an open-label, prospective, 16-week, flexible dose study of sodium oxybate in binge eating disorder. The primary outcome was binge eating episode frequency.Twelve individuals received sodium oxybate, 10 completed at least one postbaseline evaluation, and five completed the study. Mean dose at endpoint was 7.1 (2.0) g/day. Sodium oxybate was associated with significant reductions in frequency of binge days and binge episodes, as well as measures of clinical severity, eating pathology, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, food cravings, body mass index, and body weight. Nine participants had remission of binge eating and five lost [ge]5% of their baseline weight; all five of the latter participants had re...

Estimation of renal function in patients with eating disorders

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Renal function could be evaluated with different equations such as Cockcroft-Gault formula (C-G), Mayo Clinic Quadratic (MAYO) and four MDRD variables. Clinical application of different formulae in conditions with severe energy restriction or in obese subjects is still a matter of investigation.Renal function of 55 anorexia nervosa (AN) and 44 bulimia nervosa (BN) patients was evaluated with C-G formula for creatinine clearance calculation, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated with MAYO and MDRD equations.BN group was older and had higher weight, body mass index (BMI), body surface area than AN subjects; however, their mean BMI was in the normal range. AN group had better renal function than BN one when it was evaluated with MAYO and MDRD; on the contrary, it was worse when i...

Appetite-focused dialectical behavior therapy for the treatment of binge eating with purging: A preliminary trial

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This treatment development study investigated the acceptability and efficacy of a modified version of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for bulimia nervosa (BN), entitled appetite focused DBT (DBT-AF).Thirty-two women with binge/purge episodes at least one time per week were randomly assigned to 12 weekly sessions of DBT-AF (n = 18) or to a 6-week delayed treatment control (n = 14). Participants completed the EDE interview and self-report measures at baseline, 6 weeks, and posttreatment.Treatment attrition was low, and DBT-AF was rated highly acceptable. At 6 weeks, participants who were receiving DBT-AF reported significantly fewer BN symptoms than controls. At posttest, 26.9% of the 26 individuals who entered treatment (18 initially assigned and 8 from the delayed treatment control) wer...

Body schema and self-representation in patients with bulimia nervosa

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We examined mental imagery and body schema representation in patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED).Consecutive samples of 15 BN patients and 15 BED patients were compared with two groups of 15 age-matched controls in tasks requiring body or object mental transformation.BN, but not BED patients, were selectively impaired in the mental transformation of their own body, although this deficit was not correlated with measures of body dissatisfaction. In contrast, no patient group was impaired in the mental transformation of external objects.Results showed altered self-body representation in BN, but not BED patients, as the neuropsychological consequences of posterior parietal cortex dysfunctions. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2010 (Source: Inte...

Stiff-person syndrome presenting as eating disorder: A case report

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We present this case to alert practitioners to the potential co-morbidity and symptom overlap between SPS and eating disorders, to aid in early recognition and appropriate treatment of this rare illness. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2010 (Source: International Journal of Eating Disorders)

Reversible vision loss secondary to malnutrition in a woman with severe anorexia nervosa, purging type, and alcohol abuse

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

To report a case of severe reversible vision loss in a woman with a 7-year history of anorexia nervosa, purging type, alcohol abuse and a severely restricted, vitamin-deficient diet.Psychiatric, ophthalmologic, and medical records were reviewed, and a literature search was performed on visual complications associated with anorexia nervosa and malnutrition.Ophthalmologic complications of malnutrition are rare but include both oculomotor and visual sensory disturbances. Thiamine deficiency can cause both types of disorders. Vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies are typically associated with optic neuropathy. Clinicians treating eating disorders should be aware of the potential for vitamin deficiencies and associated visual loss in patients with anorexia nervosa. This case highlights the import...

Aripiprazole in anorexia nervosa and low-weight bulimia nervosa: Case reports

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We report on the treatment of eight patients (five with AN and three with BN) with aripiprazole for time periods of four months to more than three years.All individuals had reduced distress around eating, fewer obsessional thoughts about food, weight and body image, significant lessening of eating-disordered behaviors, and gradual weight restoration where appropriate. Depression, generalized anxiety, and cognitive flexibility improved as well.In summary, these findings support the need to perform controlled trials of aripiprazole in AN and BN. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2010 (Source: International Journal of Eating Disorders)

Motivation for palatable food despite consequences in an animal model of binge eating

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Binge eating involves an abnormal motivation for highly palatable food in that these foods are repeatedly consumed despite their binge-triggering effects and life-affecting consequences associated with binge eating. We determined if rats identified as binge-eating prone (BEP) similarly display abnormal motivation for palatable food.Food-sated BEP and binge-eating resistant (BER) rats were given voluntary access to palatable food paired with increasing intensity of footshock. Later, they were exposed to a period of cyclic caloric restriction-refeeding.BEPs consumed significantly more and tolerated higher levels of footshock for palatable food than BERs. Cyclic restriction-refeeding increased BERs' tolerance of shock for palatable food.Previously observed parallels of the rat BEP model to hu...

Update on course and outcome in eating disorders

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

To review recent studies describing eating disorder course and outcome.Electronic and manual searches were conducted to identify relevant articles published since 2004.Twenty-six articles were identified. For anorexia nervosa (AN), most patients ascertained through outpatient settings achieved remission by 5-year follow-up. Inpatient treatment predicted poor prognosis as inpatient samples demonstrated lower remission rates. Outcome differed between bulimia nervosa (BN) and eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS), including binge eating disorder (BED), for shorter follow-up durations; however, outcomes appeared similar between BN and related EDNOS by 5-year follow-up. Greater psychiatric comorbidity emerged as a significant predictor of poor prognosis in BN, whereas few prognostic ...

Abuse and clinical value of diuretics in eating disorders therapeutic applications

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Diuretic abuse as a means of purging is common in patients with bulimia nervosa. We sought to illustrate the pathophysiologic effects of diuretics and purging on a patient with bulimia nervosa's fluid and electrolyte status and to clarify the role of diuretics in the management of volume status during refeeding.We reviewed the literature pertaining to diuretic abuse, purging, bulimia nervosa, and diuretic therapy.Purging behaviors lead to volume depletion and a state of heightened aldosterone production. Patients with bulimia nervosa commonly undergo rapid rehydration with intravenous fluid administration. In the setting of hyperaldostreronism, aggressive rehydration leads to avid salt retention and the development of marked amounts of edema.Providers should understand both the background ...

Bulimia nervosa with history of anorexia nervosa: Could the clinical subtype of anorexia have implications for clinical status and treatment response?

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

To investigate whether the subtype of anorexia nervosa (AN) could influence the bulimic syndrome and treatment response in bulimia nervosa (BN) patients with a history of AN (BN/AN+).Seventy female BN patients were assessed for eating disorder, psychopathology and personality, and treated for 6 months.BN/AN+ patients retained some traits of their past condition: lower body weight, higher perfectionism, and higher reward dependence. They also had more severe symptoms, longer evolution time, and worse response to treatment. A history of restricting AN was associated to higher age, longer evolution time, higher impulsivity, and greater tendency to use diet pills and diuretics. A history of binge-purging AN was associated to more severe vomiting, lower body dissatisfaction and less depressive ...

Comparison of methods for identifying and assessing obese patients with binge eating disorder in primary care settings

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Given the prevalence and health significance of binge eating disorder (BED) it is important to determine if time-efficient self-reports can adequately assess BED and its features in primary care settings. We compared the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and Questionnaire for Eating and Weight Patterns-Revised (QEWP-R), administered to obese patients with BED in primary care setting to the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) interview.Sixty-six participants completed the questionnaires and were interviewed.The EDE interview was significantly correlated with the EDE-Q (binge eating, four subscales, and global score) and the QEWP-R (binge eating, distress, and body image). The EDE-Q yielded significantly lower estimates of binge eating and significantly higher scores on the EDE...

Life beyond the eating disorder: Education, relationships, and reproduction

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We investigated the sociodemographic characteristics in women with and without lifetime eating disorders.Participants were from a multisite international study of eating disorders (N = 2,096). Education level, relationship status, and reproductive status were examined across eating disorder subtypes and compared with a healthy control group.Overall, women with eating disorders were less educated than controls, and duration of illness and age of onset were associated with educational attainment. Menstrual status was associated with both relationship and reproductive status, but eating disorder subtypes did not differ significantly from each other or from healthy controls on these dimensions.Differences in educational attainment, relationships, and reproduction do exist in individuals with e...

Use of mirtazapine in an adult with refractory anorexia nervosa and comorbid depression: A case report

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The objective of this report was to describe an efficacious treatment of an adult with long-standing anorexia nervosa (AN). A 50-year-old woman with an over 7-year history of AN and comorbid major depression had been treated unsuccessfully with numerous psychotropic medications, manualized cognitive behavior therapy, and an intensive outpatient treatment program before referral. After treatment with mirtazapine, she gained weight and her depression improved. A 9-month follow-up revealed a maintenance of these benefits. Mirtazapine may be useful for older, chronically ill patients presenting with AN and comorbid depression. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2010 (Source: International Journal of Eating Disorders)

Rationale for the application of Exposure and Response Prevention to the treatment of anorexia nervosa

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a life threatening and difficult to treat illness with a high relapse rate. Current treatments are inadequate and new approaches to treatment are needed.We review the data on anxiety in AN, the relationship between anxiety disorders and AN, and the use of Exposure and Response Prevention in treatment.The overlap between AN and anxiety disorders suggest a model of AN in which baseline anxiety features yield eating related fears, avoidance behaviors, and ritualized safety behaviors that promote the underweight state and the perpetuation of the disorder. We propose an Exposure and Response Prevention treatment to prevent relapse in AN.Overlap between AN and anxiety disorders suggests that Exposure and Response Prevention may be a new and beneficial approach to prevent...

Processing of pictorial food stimuli in patients with eating disorders - A systematic review

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The processing of food cues in eating-disordered patients has recently been increasingly investigated. Outlined is current evidence from pictorial food stimuli studies.PubMed and PsychINFO were searched for quantitative pictorial food stimuli studies investigating healthy controls and expert-diagnosed eating-disordered patients.Patients with eating disorders (ED) demonstrated cue reactivity to food stimuli. Results from functional imaging suggest sensory disengagement and higher emotional involvement while self-reported data and facial EMG revealed that food pictures were perceived as less pleasurable. Different experimental paradigms have demonstrated an attentional bias for food cues in ED. Currently, psychophysiological data is widely inconclusive.Evidence suggests cue reactivity to foo...

Night eating syndrome and weight loss outcome in obese patients

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The clinical significance of diagnosing the night eating syndrome (NES) in obese individuals has not been clearly demonstrated. We aimed to test the effect of NES on weight loss outcome in obesity.In an observational case-control study, we measured weight loss outcome in obese individuals with NES (32 cases) and 68 non-NES matched participants entering a weight-loss program. The diagnosis of NES was generated by a two-stage assessment, including the Night Eating Questionnaire (screening test) and the Night Eating Syndrome History and Inventory. The program included a 21-day inpatient treatment based on a low-calorie diet, exercise, and psycho-educational groups, followed by a 6-month outpatient follow-up. Body weight, metabolic parameters, and questionnaires of psychopathology were assesse...

Mediators between perfectionism and eating disorder psychopathology: Shape and weight overvaluation and conditional goal-setting

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

To examine mediators of the relationship between perfectionism and eating disorder (ED) psychopathology in a clinical sample.Participants were 201 women with a DSM-IV diagnosed ED consecutively referred to a specialist outpatient treatment clinic. Participants completed measures of perfectionism, ED psychopathology, shape and weight overvaluation, and conditional goal-setting (CGS).Evaluation of a multivariate mediator model using Baron and Kenny's (1986) four-step mediation methodology showed that shape and weight overvaluation and CGS significantly and uniquely mediated the relation between self-oriented perfectionism (SOP) and restraint, eating concern, shape concern, and weight concern. The mediator model furthered the proportion of explained variance in outcomes beyond the direct effe...

The refeeding syndrome and glucose load

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Discussion focuses on the possible deleterious affects that carbohydrates may have in exacerbating the refeeding syndrome. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2010 (Source: International Journal of Eating Disorders)

Polydipsia and hyponatremia in a woman with anorexia nervosa

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We report the case of a 23-year-old woman with anorexia nervosa who suffered with severe hyponatremia.The etiology of hyponatremia in this case, as in most patients with eating disorders, was multifactorial, encompassing both hypovolemic and euvolemic categories of hyponatremia. Multiple impairments in the ability to clear free water are responsible for a heightened risk for hyponatremia in patients with anorexia nervosa.This case underscores the importance of careful scrutiny of fluid intake, an awareness of medications that lead to hyponatremia, and the need for regular monitoring of serum electrolytes, even in patients with anorexia nervosa, to allow for an early diagnosis and to assist in the formulation of an effective treatment and prevention strategy. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, I...

Factors associated with binge eating disorder in pregnancy

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

To identify factors associated with incidence and course of broadly defined binge eating disorder (BED) in pregnancy.As a part of the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), 45,644 women completed a questionnaire at approximately 18 weeks of gestation.Incidence of BED was significantly associated with lifetime sexual abuse, lifetime physical abuse, lifetime major depression, symptoms of anxiety and depression, low life satisfaction, low self-esteem, low partner relationship satisfaction, smoking, alcohol use, lack of social support, and several weight-related factors. Continuation was negatively associated with thoughts of being overweight before pregnancy. Remission was positively associated with thoughts of being overweight before pregnancy and negatively associated with overvalu...

The proof of the pudding is in the eating: Is the DEBQ - external eating scale a valid measure of external eating?

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

To test the construct validity and discriminative validity of the widely used Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire's (DEBQ) External Eating (EE) subscale.After being exposed to food cues or not participants completed a bogus taste test. Subjective cue reactivity during food exposure and actual food intake after food exposure were measured.EE scores were unrelated to food intake. A robust main effect of food cue exposure was found but contrary to what was predicted, low EE scorers ate more after food cue exposure than without whereas high EE scorers did not. The actual eating behavior of high and low scorers on the other DEBQ subscales - emotional and restrained eating - demonstrated that the EE also lacks discriminative validity.The EE showed no predictive validity and no discriminative val...

Percent body fat is a risk factor for relapse in Anorexia Nervosa: A replication study

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We aimed to replicate and extend our previous findings of an association between percent body fat in recently weight-restored patients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and clinical outcome in the year following treatment.Twenty-two hospitalized, weight-restored women with AN underwent whole body MRI to determine percent adipose tissue. Following hospital discharge, patients were contacted regularly, and at the end of the year, clinical outcome was determined using modified Morgan-Russell (MR) criteria: full, good, fair or poor. Identical to our previous study, outcome was dichotomized into "full, good or fair" and "poor" groups.Data from 21 subjects were available for analysis. Percent body fat was significantly lower in the poor outcome group (22% ±5%) compared to the "full, good or fair" outc...

Eating disorders in DSM-V: Review of existing literature (Part 3)

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

No abstract. (Source: International Journal of Eating Disorders)

Demand-specific alteration of medial prefrontal cortex response during an inhibition task in recovered anorexic women

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study investigated a prefrontal-cingulate network that is involved in inhibitory control.To avoid the confounds of malnutrition, 12 recovered (RAN) subjects were compared to 12 matched control women (CW) using a validated inhibition task (i.e., a stop signal task) during functional magnetic resonance imaging.Consistent with the a priori hypothesis, RAN subjects showed altered task-related activation in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a critical node of the inhibitory control network. Specifically, whereas RAN and CW showed similar mPFC acitivity during trials when inhibitory demand was low (i.e., easy trials), RAN relative to CW showed significantly less mPFC activation as inhibition trials became more difficult (i.e., hard trials), suggesting a demand-specific modulation of inhi...

Acknowledgment

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

No abstract. (Source: International Journal of Eating Disorders)

Childhood maltreatment, depressive symptoms, and body dissatisfaction in patients with binge eating disorder: The mediating role of self-criticism

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We examined the mediating role of self-criticism in the relation between childhood maltreatment and both depressive symptoms and body dissatisfaction in patients with binge eating disorder (BED).Participants were 170 BED patients who completed measures of childhood maltreatment, self-criticism, self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and body dissatisfaction.Specific forms of childhood maltreatment (emotional abuse, sexual abuse) were significantly associated with body dissatisfaction. Path analyses demonstrated that self-criticism fully mediated the relation between emotional abuse and both depressive symptoms and body dissatisfaction. Specificity for the mediating role of self-criticism was demonstrated in comparison to other potential mediators (low self-esteem) and alternative competing medi...

Relationship between motivation for weight loss and dieting and binge eating in a representative population survey

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

To investigate the relationship between reasons for weight loss and previous dieting attempts and current binge-eating episodes in overweight and obese individuals.For the n = 355 interviewees of a representative sample of Swiss inhabitants (n = 1,000) reporting a body mass index (BMI) of [ge]25, the Weight Loss Motivation Questionnaire - distinguishing between the three scales health, appearance in relation to oneself, and appearance in relation to others - was assessed. Pearson's and Spearman's rank correlation coefficients and the partial correlation coefficient controlling for age, sex, socioeconomic status, and BMI were calculated.Number of previous diets was significantly correlated with all three subscales, whereas presence of binge-eating episodes was only significantly correlated ...

Validity and reliability of the Chinese language version of the eating disorder examination (CEDE) in Mainland China: Implications for the identity and nosology of the eating disorders

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

To investigate the crosscultural validity and reliability of the Chinese Language version of the Eating Disorder Examination (CEDE) in Wuhan, China, and to examine the psychopathogical profile of eating disorder patients in central Mainland China.We administered the CEDE to 41 eating disorder patients (anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa) with 43 noneating disorder controls. Specialists in eating disorders made the clinical diagnosis according to DSM-IV criteria. CEDE data between the two groups were compared.The CEDE demonstrates good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and inter-examiner reliability. All CL-EDE subscales discriminated between patients with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa from non-eating disordered controls. The CEDE has satisfactory sensitivity, specifici...

Feeding and eating disorders in childhood

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

To review the literature related to the current DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for feeding disorder of infancy or early childhood; pica; rumination disorder; and other childhood presentations that are characterized by avoidance of food or restricted food intake, with the purpose of informing options for DSM-V.Articles were identified by computerized and manual searches and reviewed to evaluate the evidence supporting possible options for revision of criteria.The study of childhood feeding and eating disturbances has been hampered by inconsistencies in classification and use of terminology. Greater clarity around subtypes of feeding and eating problems in children would benefit clinicians and patients alike.A number of suggestions supported by existing evidence are made that provide clearer ...

Uniting couples (in the treatment of) anorexia nervosa (UCAN)

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We present the UCAN treatment for patients with AN and their partners and discuss important considerations in the delivery of the intervention.With further evaluation, we expect that UCAN will emerge to be an effective, acceptable, disseminable, and developmentally tailored intervention that will serve to improve both core AN pathology as well as couple functioning. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2010) (Source: International Journal of Eating Disorders)

Startle as an objective measure of distress related to teasing and body image

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The startle reflex was used to assess negative emotion in response to body image cues in persons with and without body-related teasing histories.Fifty-three female college students viewed photos of themselves both unaltered and morphed to look heavier and thinner. Participants with a teasing history were compared to participants without a teasing history on self-report measures and the affect modulated startle paradigm when viewing the photos.All participants, regardless of teasing history, self-reported that the photo morphed to look heaviest was more unpleasant than the neutral photo. When assessed by the affect modulated startle paradigm, a significant teasing history by photo interaction was found between the neutral and morphed to look heaviest photos and the neutral and morphed to lo...

Eeg in adolescent anorexia nervosa: Impact of refeeding and weight gain

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

To examine resting awake EEG in adolescent AN participants before and after refeeding to determine if EEG abnormalities in Anorexia Nervosa (AN) are reversible.In 37 adolescent first admission AN patients and 45 healthy controls, EEG was recorded during short duration "eyes open" and "eyes closed" awake resting conditions. Repeat testing occurred in 28 AN participants after refeeding and subsequent weight gain.In "eyes open," underweight AN participants exhibit reduced relative alpha power and increased beta power in frontal brain regions. A significant increase in alpha, and decrease in beta and delta power was observed within participants after refeeding. In "eyes closed", underweight AN participants had elevated theta in parietal-occipital regions which remained after refeeding.EEG abno...

An investigation of weight suppression in a population-based sample of female twins

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Weight suppression (WS), maintaining a body weight below one's maximum adult weight, is associated with bingeing, purging, and weight gain in clinical samples.We investigated associations between eating disorder-related variables and WS and additive genetic (A), common (C), and unique (E) environmental contributions to WS in a population-based sample of 1,503 female adult twins.Modeling results were similar for participants reporting no binge eating (NBE) and those reporting binge eating plus loss of control (BE + LOC): 20-25% of the variance in WS was due to A and 70-75% due to E. Among NBE participants, restraint, drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, and dieting during child/adulthood were related to WS. Restraint, disinhibition, and dieting during childhood were significantly assoc...

Evaluating the real-world effectiveness of cognitive-behavior therapy efficacy research on eating disorders: A case study from a community-based clinical setting

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This article provides a narrative account of an NIMH-funded study that attempted to apply efficacy findings from CBT research to an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at the largest community-based eating disorder program in the United States.We describe the study as originally envisioned as well as the various challenges that the researchers and the IOP staff encountered in implementing this study.The different training, assumptions, and "ways of knowing" of the research team and the treatment staff in regard to the nature of eating disorders and their treatment created multiple challenges for both groups during the study period. We describe valuable lessons learned about how to - and how not to - implement effectiveness designs in clinical settings that are relatively unfamiliar with emp...

The effectiveness of a day program for the treatment of adolescent anorexia nervosa

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study presents preliminary results of an open clinical trial of a day program for adolescents with AN.Participants were 26 anorectic females, 12-18 years, who completed the "Transition Program."Significant change emerged on measures of weight gain, and behavioral and attitudinal measures of eating pathology. Large effect sizes were evident for weight gain at 6 month follow-up. Preliminary trends suggest that treatment gains on these and other measures of eating pathology were maintained at 6 month follow-up.Preliminary results support day program treatment for adolescents with mild-moderately severe eating disorders. Present outcomes are discussed with respect to the dearth of efficacious treatment options for adolescents. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2010) (So...

Age differences in genetic and environmental influences on weight and shape concerns

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Previous research has shown important developmental shifts ingenetic and environmental influences for disordered eating. However, little research has examined age differences for weight/shape concerns, two key components of eating disorders. The goal of this study was to investigate these age differences in preadolescent, adolescent, young adult, and mid-adult twins.Participants included 2,618 female twins (ages of 10-41 years) from three large twin registries. Shape and weight concerns were assessed with the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire.Genetic influences were modest in preadolescent twins, but significant from early-adolescence through middle adulthood. Shared environmental factors showed the opposite pattern, with the largest shared environmental contributions occurring in...

Recurrent acute hepatic dysfunction in severe anorexia nervosa

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

We report a 32-year-old women with severe anorexia having dramatic rise in LFT's with liver failure during extremely poor nutritional status. Acute rise in liver enzymes observed on several occasions in this patient resulted from ischaemic hepatitis secondary to liver hypoperfusion. Clinicians caring for patients with severe AN should monitor haemodynamic parameters with the knowledge that acute liver failure can be a consequence of sudden liver hypoperfusion. Therapeutic intervention comprising volume support with gradual nutritional support results in normalization of LFT's. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2010 (Source: International Journal of Eating Disorders)

Body checking induces an attentional bias for body-related cues

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Theoretical models suggest that body checking is linked to biased cognitive processing. However, this link has not been investigated in any systematic way. The present study examined the influence of body checking on attentional bias for body-related cues by manipulating body checking behaviors in nonclinical participants.66 women were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: body checking, body exposure, or control. A body visual search task was used to measure attentional bias.Participants in the body checking condition showed speeded detection of body-related information compared to participants in the exposure and control conditions. No evidence was found for increased distraction by body-related information. Furthermore, participants in the body checking condition reported more b...

Digestive complication in severe malnourished anorexia nervosa patient: A case report of necrotizing colitis

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

We report the only case of NC with good prognosis in a severely malnourished AN patient.Available patient records, imaging, and biochemical data were evaluated.This case represents an unusual gastrointestinal complication and underlines the important clinical role that Parentera Nutrition (PN) has for some selected very malnourished AN patients. The severe starvation may compromise the normal function of gastrointestinal tract and it can also lead to an incomplete tolerance of enteral refeeding thus making PN required to reach the nutritional rehabilitation. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Int J Eat Disord 2010 (Source: International Journal of Eating Disorders)

Binge eating is not associated with elevated eating, weight, or shape concerns in the absence of the desire to lose weight in men

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

To investigate whether the desire to lose weight moderates the association between objective binge eating episodes (OBEs) and eating and body image-related psychopathology in men.Participants (N = 404) completed questionnaires assessing eating and body image psychopathology and were grouped based on the presence of OBEs and the desire to lose weight.The desire to lose weight was found to moderate the relationships between the presence of OBEs and restraint, eating concerns, shape concerns, and weight concerns but not the presence of fasting, purging, driven exercise, or body image dissatisfaction. In fact, men who experienced OBEs engaged in similar rates of purging regardless of whether they desired to lose weight.The results of this study suggest that disordered eating behaviors may be m...

Differences in coping across stages of recovery from an eating disorder

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study examined the relation between coping skills and eating disorder recovery by comparing these skills across healthy controls, fully recovered, partially recovered, and active eating disorder cases. Full recovery was defined using physical, behavioral, and psychological components.Individuals formerly seen for an eating disorder at a Midwestern clinic were categorized as having an active eating disorder (n = 53), as partially recovered (n = 15), or as fully recovered (n = 20). The coping skills of these groups were compared to each other and to 67 healthy controls.Healthy controls and fully recovered individuals utilized similarly high levels of task- and avoidance-oriented coping and similarly low levels of emotion-oriented coping. Partially recovered individuals looked more simil...

Anorexia nervosa and Wernicke Korsakoff's syndrome: Atypical presentation by acute psychosis

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

A 16-year-old girl was admitted to the emergency department because of acute changes in mental state such as paranoid and nihilistic delusions, confabulations, and distortions of body schema perception. Her history was compatible with anorexia nervosa in that she had lost more than 17 kg in weight over one and a half years. Her body mass index was 14. She was diagnosed with Wernicke Korsakoff's syndrome and was given intravenous thiamine at 250 mg/day. Response was dramatic for nystagmus and gait incoordination but not for other symptoms. After dosage was increased to 750 mg/day all symptoms including psychosis improved. With her increase in food consumption, secondary deterioration was observed and diagnosed as refeeding syndrome. After proper replacements she was completely normal in the...

Micrographia and hypophonia in anorexia nervosa

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Micrographia is a condition, in which the sufferers write with small handwriting. Hypophonia is described as low volume speech. Both conditions have been described in neurological conditions, such as lesions in the deep white matter of the brain, Parkinson's disease etc., In this case report, we are presenting a 22-years-old female patient with anorexia nervosa who suffered from both these conditions. The patient also suffered from epilepsy. The onset of these symptoms, progress, and current status provides scope for discussing both the possible biological and psychodynamic etiology for these symptoms in this young woman. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Source: International Journal of Eating Disorders)

A pilot study of interpersonal psychotherapy for preventing excess weight gain in adolescent girls at-risk for obesity

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is effective at reducing binge episodes and inducing weight stabilization in obese adults with binge eating disorder.We piloted the administration of IPT to girls at-risk for excess weight gain (BMI 75th-97th percentile; IPT-WG) with and without loss of control (LOC) eating. Thirty-eight girls (12-17 years) were randomized to IPT-WG or a standard-of-care health education group.All 38 girls completed the programs and all follow-up visits through 6 months. Thirty-five of 38 returned for a complete assessment visit at 1 year. Among girls with baseline LOC (n = 20), those in IPT-WG experienced greater reductions in such episodes than girls in health education (p = .036). Regardless of LOC status, over 1 year girls in IPT-WG were less likely to increase their B...

Binge eating, purging, or both: Eating disorder psychopathology findings from an internet community survey

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study aimed to compare bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and purging disorder (PD) on clinically significant variables and examine the utility of once versus twice-weekly diagnostic thresholds for disturbed eating behaviors.234 women with BN, BED, or PD were identified through self-report measures via an online survey and categorized based on either once-weekly or twice-weekly disturbed eating behaviors.BN emerged as a more severe disorder than BED and PD. The three groups differed significantly in self-reported restraint and disinhibition and the BN and BED groups reported higher levels of depression than PD. For BN, those engaging in behaviors twice-weekly versus once-weekly were more symptomatic.The BN, BED, and PD groups differed in clinically meaningful ways. Fut...

Eating-disordered behavior in Australian and Singaporean women: A comparative study

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

We used the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) to compare the specific eating disorder psychopathology of young adult women in Australia (n = 339) and Singapore (n = 164). All participants completed a brief questionnaire that included the EDE-Q, basic socio-demographic information, and self-reported height and weight.Overall levels of eating disorder psychopathology, as measured by the EDE-Q global score, were very similar. There were also no differences between groups on the EDE-Q subscales. However, analysis at the item level indicated that Singaporean women were more fearful of losing control over their eating, more fearful of gaining weight or becoming fat, and more anxious at the prospect of regularly weighing themselves, than Australian women. Singaporean women were al...

Pain severity in eating disorders predicts longer inpatient hospitalization

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

This study examined pain intensity (PI) in eating disorders.Comparisons between inpatients (N = 208) reporting moderate to severe pain (HiP) and no pain or mild pain (LoP) at admission were made, and the relationship between PI and treatment response was examined.Patients with HiP were older, had a greater likelihood of having a bingeing and/or purging diagnosis, and reported greater body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, depressive symptomatology, and neuroticism in comparison to those with LoP. They were also more likely to report widespread pain, to catastrophize about pain and to use praying and hoping to cope with pain. PI was associated with longer length of inpatient hospitalization, even after controlling for degree of underweight, depressive symptomatology, and neurotic persona...

Physical activity and exercise dependence during inpatient treatment of longstanding eating disorders: An exploratory study of excessive and non-excessive exercisers

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

To describe changes in physical activity (PA) and exercise dependence score during treatment of eating disorders (ED), and to explore correlations among changes in PA, exercise motivation, exercise dependence score and ED psychopathology in excessive and non-excessive exercisers.Thirty-eight adult females receiving inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or ED not otherwise specified participated in this prospective study. Assessments included accelerometer assessed PA, Exercise Dependence Scale, Reasons for Exercise Inventory, ED Examination, and ED Inventory.Amount of PA was significantly reduced in non-excessive exercisers during treatment, in excessive exercisers there was a trend towards reduced amount of PA from admission to discharge. In excessive exercisers, reduc...

Salience of loss of control for pediatric binge episodes: Does size really matter?

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

The subjective experience of loss of control (LOC) during eating, independent of overeating, may be a salient marker of disordered eating and risk for overweight in youth. However, few studies have directly tested this notion in an adequately powered sample.Three-hundred-sixty-seven youth (M ± SD age = 12.7 ± 2.8 y) were categorized as reporting objective binge eating (OBE; 12.5%), subjective binge eating (SBE; 11.4%), objective overeating without LOC (OO; 18.5%), or no episodes (NE; 57.5%). Disordered eating attitudes, general psychopathology, and adiposity were assessed.Children with OBE and SBE generally did not differ in their disordered eating attitudes, emotional eating, eating in the absence of hunger, depressive and anxiety symptoms, or adiposity. However, both OBE and SBE youth ...

Increased QT variability in patients with anorexia nervosa - An indicator for increased cardiac mortality?

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

In this study, we examined the relative importance of repolarization abnormalities and vagal modulation of heart rate. In particular, we hypothesized that patients with anorexia nervosa show increased QT interval variability, particularly since this measure has been shown to correlate with serious cardiac arrhythmias.We assessed linear and nonlinear heart rate variability (HRV) parameters as well as measures of QT variability in 20 female patients with anorexia nervosa and 20 controls. In patients, parameters were correlated with serum electrolytes.QT variability was significantly increased in the patient group and correlated negatively with serum potassium concentrations. HRV measures showed a shift of autonomic balance towards vagal predominance.The increase in QT variability might at le...

Disordered eating in adulthood is associated with reported weight loss attempts in childhood

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

To determine whether history of attempted weight loss in childhood (age [le]12 years) is associated with binge eating disorder (BED) and unhealthy weight loss behaviors in adults.Cross-sectional analysis from baseline visit data of 588 participants of a clinical trial. Data were collected from survey answers on health status, nutritional status, weight loss history, and weight loss behaviors.History of childhood weight loss attempts was associated with high odds of BED in adults (odds ratio [OR] 3.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.8-6.3) and high odds of unhealthy weight loss behaviors (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.2, 2.6). A linear trend was observed in which young age at first attempted weight loss was associated with increased odds of both BED and unhealthy weight loss behaviors.Weight loss attempt...

A comparison of stigma toward eating disorders versus depression

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

The goal of this study was to compare the degree of stigma associated with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and depression.Participants read one of three vignettes describing clinical cases of AN, BN, or depression, and answered questions assessing stigma toward individuals with one of these three mental disorders.Attitudes toward individuals with eating disorders were significantly more stigmatizing than attitudes toward individuals with depression. Individuals with an eating disorder were rated as more fragile, more responsible for their disorder, and more likely to use their disorder to gain attention than individuals with depression. Furthermore, the majority of participants reported that they admired certain aspects of eating disorders, thought that there might be some ben...

Body dissatisfaction moderates weight curves in the inpatient treatment of anorexia nervosa

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

To examine whether drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, and restrictive/binge eating-purging subtype at admission moderates the weight curves of patients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) over the course of inpatient treatment.The nature of weight curves, individual differences herein and moderating factors are examined in 92 AN patients by means of multilevel modeling.The average weight curve of AN patients is characterized by a linear weight increase during treatment that levels off near the end of treatment. Substantial individual differences exist in the shape of patients' weight curves. Patients with stronger body dissatisfaction at admission display a slower linear rate of weight gain over the course of treatment. Neither drive for thinness nor restrictive/binge eating-purging subtype ...

Early response to family-based treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

The purpose of this study was to determine if early weight gain predicted remission at the end of treatment in a clinic sample of adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN).Sixty five adolescents with AN (mean age = 14.9 years, SD = 2.1), from two sites (Chicago n = 45; Columbia n = 20) received a course of manualized family-based treatment (FBT). Response to treatment was assessed using percent ideal body weight (IBW) with remission defined as having achieved [ge]95% IBW at end of treatment (Session 20).Receiver operating characteristic analyses showed that a gain of at least 2.88% in ideal body weight by Session 4 best predicted remission at end of treatment (AUC = 0.674; p = 0.024).Results suggest that adolescents with AN, receiving FBT, who do not show early weight gain are unlikely to rem...

Thrombopoietin and thrombocytopenia in anorexia nervosa with severe liver dysfunction

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) display various physical complications. One such problem is thrombocytopenia. However, no studies have investigated links between AN and thrombopoietin (TPO), which is the primary regulator of megakaryocyte and platelet production produced mainly in the liver, although TPO has been recently reported to play a role in thrombocytopenia in liver diseases. We therefore clarified temporal relationships between platelet counts and TPO level in a woman with AN and severe liver dysfunction in whom platelet count decreased to 53 × 109/L.While international normalized ratio (INR) was low, serum TPO level was relatively low despite low platelet counts. After INR and liver enzymes improved in conjunction with improved nutritional status, a rapid increase in TPO was...

Dysregulated eating behaviors in borderline personality disorder: Are rejection sensitivity and emotion dysregulation linking mechanisms?

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) often engage in dysregulated eating behaviors, such as binge-eating and purging. Rejection sensitivity, or the tendency to worry about and expect rejection in most situations, may be involved in this relationship by increasing the intensity and frequency of emotion dysregulation.Using a sample which included individuals diagnosed with BPD, a structural equation model was constructed using BPD symptoms and measures of rejection sensitivity, emotion dysregulation, and dysregulated eating behaviors.The hypothesized model was supported in which BPD symptoms predicted high levels of rejection sensitivity, which then led to increased problems with emotion dysregulation and subsequent dysregulated eating behaviors. A significant indirect effe...

Expressed emotion in relatives of patients with eating disorders following skills training program

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

The first aim of this work was to examine whether high expressed emotion (EE) would be associated with psychological distress and negative appraisal of caregiving. The second aim was to examine whether could replicate the findings of (Uehara et al., Compr Psychiatr, 42, 132-138, 2001) regarding a reduction in EE in association with a psycho-educational intervention.A prospective exploratory follow-up assessment of 47 caregivers in which EE was measured by Five Minutes Speech Sample, Experience of Caregiving Inventory and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12).High EE ratings were found in 26/47 (55%) carers at baseline. The high EE group had a higher negative aspects of caregiving (high EE = 109.8 vs. low EE = 93.7, p = 0.04). The number of carers with high-EE fell from 55% to 24% after int...

Childhood risk factors in Korean women with anorexia nervosa: Two sets of case-control studies with retrospective comparisons

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the risk factors for anorexia nervosa (AN) in Korean women.Two sets of case-control comparisons were conducted, in which 52 women with lifetime AN from Seoul, S. Korea, were compared with 108 Korean healthy controls and also with 42 women with lifetime AN from the UK in terms of their childhood risk factors. A questionnaire designed to conduct a retrospective assessment of the childhood risk factors was administered to all participants.The Korean AN women were more likely to report premorbid anxiety, perfectionism, and emotional undereating and were less likely to report having supportive figures in their childhood than the Korean healthy controls. There were no overall differences in the childhood risk factors between the Kor...

Cost-utility of treatment of bulimia nervosa

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

The costs of treating eating disorders are high. Our objective was to perform a cost-utility analysis of treatment of bulimia nervosa.72 patients entering treatment of bulimia nervosa (ICD-10 diagnosis) completed the 15D health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaire and the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) before and 6 months after the start of treatment. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained were calculated and cost-utility was assessed within the time horizon of 10 years.Baseline HRQoL was severely impaired in the patients. As a consequence of treatment, mean HRQoL improved clinically and statistically significantly. The cost per QALY gained varied from [euro]1,455 to [euro]16,481 (from [euro]4,428 to [euro]19,663 discounted at 5%) depending on the assumptions used in the anal...

Behavioral assessment of the reinforcing effect of exercise in women with anorexia nervosa: Further paradigm development and data

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

To use a Progressive Ratio (PR) computerized "work" paradigm to measure course and correlates of exercise motivation in in-patients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN).Sixteen inpatients with AN participated in a PR task assessing the relative reinforcing effect of two different increments of cash versus the opportunity to exercise for upto 30 min, twice; at low weight, and, for n = 10 participants, after weight restoration.There was a trend toward a higher work for exercise with 2 versus 5 increments of cash as the alternative reinforcer. Exercise breakpoint did not differ between low and normal-weight states. Exercise breakpoint at each time point was correlated with prehospitalization exercise "commitment" (Commitment to Exercise Scale, r = .613, p = .012 at T1; r = .634, p = .049 at T2).Patient...

A qualitative study of perceived social barriers to care for eating disorders: Perspectives from ethnically diverse health care consumers

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

The study aim was to identify and describe health consumer perspectives on social barriers to care for eating disorders in an ethnically diverse sample.We conducted an exploratory secondary analysis of qualitative data comprising transcripts from semi-structured interviews with past and prospective consumers of eating disorder treatment (n = 32). Transcripts were inputted into NVivo 8 for coding, sorting, and quantifying thematic content of interest within strata defined by ethnic minority and non-minority participants. We then examined the influence of key social barriers - including stigma and social stereotypes - on perceived impact on care.The majority of respondents (78%) endorsed at least one social barrier to care for an eating or weight concern. Perceived stigma (or shame) and soci...

Epigenetic dysregulation of dopaminergic genes in eating disorders

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

The pathophysiology of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) has been linked to an impaired dopaminergic neurotransmission, still the origin of this disturbance remains unknown. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to evaluate whether the expression of dopaminergic genes is altered in the blood of patients suffering from eating disorders and if these alterations can be explained by changes in the promoter specific DNA methylation of the genes.We used quantitative real-time PCR to measure both the expression and the promoter specific DNA methylation of the dopamine transporter (DAT), and the D2 (DRD2) and D4 receptor (DRD4) gene in the blood of 46 patients (22 AN, 24 BN) and 30 healthy controls.Patients showed an elevated expression of DAT mRNA when...

Academy for eating disorders position paper: The role of the family in eating disorders

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

No abstract. (Source: International Journal of Eating Disorders)

"I'm not physically active - I only go for walks": Physical activity in patients with longstanding eating disorders

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

To examine self reported versus objectively assessed moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and different reasons for exercise, in patients with longstanding eating disorders (ED) when compared with controls.Inpatient females (n = 59, mean 30.1 years) and nonclinical age matched controls (n = 53, mean 31.3 years) accepted participation in this cross sectional study. Instruments included accelerometer ActiGraph, physical activity diary, Reasons for Exercise Inventory, and Eating Disorders Examination interview.Self reported and objectively assessed MVPA were higher across all ED diagnoses when compared with controls. The patients' self reported MVPA was lower than the objectively assessed MVPA; no difference was found in controls. Regulation of negative affects, not weight/appearanc...

Psychobiology of purging disorder: Reduction in circulating leptin levels in purging disorder in comparison with controls

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100

This study examined whether PD is also characterized by low serum leptin.Participants included women with PD (n = 20) or BN (n = 37), and non-eating disorder controls (n = 33). Blood samples for measurement of leptin and total ghrelin were obtained after overnight fast.In comparison with control values, leptin levels were significantly decreased in PD (p < .01), as well as in BN (p < .02). Plasma ghrelin levels did not differ significantly across groups.These results provide the first evidence that PD is associated with alteration in a neurobiological pathway influencing eating patterns and body weight. Further research is needed to assess whether low leptin levels in PD and BN are associated with restrained eating and weight suppression. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord...

Eating disorders in DSM-V: Review of existing literature (Part 1)

International Journal of Eating Disorders — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100

No abstract. (Source: International Journal of Eating Disorders)

The relationships between body mass index and television viewing, internet use and cellular phone use: The moderating effects of socio-demographic characteristics and exercise