Cognitive and Metabolic Responses to Eating in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia

Abstract

Eating behavior in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa has been carefully described but not systematically studied. Studies of eating behavior in animals have used test models such as microstructural analysis of feeding behavior and macroanalysis of feeding patterns (Blundell and Hill 1986). In animals a microstructural analysis of feeding behavior is an intensive recording of many behaviors such as drinking, grooming, locomotor activity, resting, in addition to eating behavior of animals in a short period of time. The macroanalysis of feeding patterns is a measurement of long-term feeding patterns in free-feeding animals never subjected to food deprivation. This continuous monitoring procedure has improved the precision of measuring parameters of meal patterns such as meal size, meal duration, meal frequency, intermeal interval, and ratios of meal size to meal interval. It allows assessments to be made under normal physiological conditions. Experimental obesity in animals can be produced by the technique of using varied and palatable diets. The dietary self-selection model allows the study of pharmacological agents and exogenously administered hormones on macronutrient (fat, protein, and carbohydrate) consumption. These models are now being successfully used with humans and can be useful to study eating in anorexia nervosa and bulimia patients.