Bulimia nervosa and resting metabolic rate

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between bulimia nervosa and resting metabolic rate. It was hypothesized that severe levels of bulimia, characterized by purging through self‐induced vomiting as well as restrictive eating patterns, would be associated with a decrease in the rate of energy utilization and thus a lower resting metabolic rate. Forty‐two female subjects participated in the metabolic assessment. Twenty‐six were given the diagnosis of bulimia nervosa, and only those subjects purging through self‐induced vomiting were included. Sixteen nonbulimic women of comparable age, height, and weight were included as a control group. Resting metabolic rate was measured by continuous monitoring of expired oxygen and carbon dioxide fractions by indirect calorimetry via open‐circuit spirometry. Mean values of kilocalories per hour per kilogram were utilized as the dependent variable in the statistical analysis. Bulimic subjects were divided into severe and less severe groups using a median split on the Bulimia Test (BULIT) and compared with normals. Results showed a negative correlation between severity of bulimia, as measured by the BULIT, and resting metabolic rate. It was found that severe bulimics had lower resting metabolic rates than less severe bulimics and normals, who did not differ. These data indicate that severe levels of bulimia are associated with lower resting metabolism, although the correlational nature of the data prohibits a direct causal statement regarding bulimic behavior and its effects on metabolism.

Binge eating as escape from self-awareness.

“…Set point theory is also consistent with evidence that severe bulimics have lower resting metabolism rates than less severe bulimics or normals (S. A. Bennett, Williamson, & Powers, 1989), which could mean that severe bulimics are below some biological set point, causing the body to respond by lowering metabolic rate in the effort to conserve calories.…”

“…Set point theory is also consistent with evidence that severe bulimics have lower resting metabolism rates than less severe bulimics or normals (S. A. Bennett, Williamson, & Powers, 1989), which could mean that severe bulimics are below some biological set point, causing the body to respond by lowering metabolic rate in the effort to conserve calories. Lastly, bulimics (although not dieters; see Esses & Herman, 1984) show patterns of taste responsiveness that are consistent with the effects of caloric deprivation; specifically, sweet foods continue to taste good as one approaches satiety (Rodin, Bartoshuk, Peterson, & Schank, 1990).…”

Binge eating as escape from self-awareness.

“…Set point theory is also consistent with evidence that severe bulimics have lower resting metabolism rates than less severe bulimics or normals (S. A. Bennett, Williamson, & Powers, 1989), which could mean that severe bulimics are below some biological set point, causing the body to respond by lowering metabolic rate in the effort to conserve calories.…”

“…Set point theory is also consistent with evidence that severe bulimics have lower resting metabolism rates than less severe bulimics or normals (S. A. Bennett, Williamson, & Powers, 1989), which could mean that severe bulimics are below some biological set point, causing the body to respond by lowering metabolic rate in the effort to conserve calories. Lastly, bulimics (although not dieters; see Esses & Herman, 1984) show patterns of taste responsiveness that are consistent with the effects of caloric deprivation; specifically, sweet foods continue to taste good as one approaches satiety (Rodin, Bartoshuk, Peterson, & Schank, 1990).…”

Resting energy expenditure in acutely ill and stabilized patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa

“…Mean measured REE in actively ill patients with BN has been found in some studies (Benett, Williamson, & Powers, 1988;Obarzanek et al, 1991), although not all (Detzer et al, 1994), to be significantly lower compared to healthy controls, and lower than the predicted REE (Schebendach et al, 1995), although to a lesser extent than in AN. The difference in baseline REE between normal-weight patients with BN and controls cannot be accounted for solely by weight differences (Obarzanek et al, 1991).…”

The nutrient intake of women with bulimia nervosa

“…It is notable that although nonbinge energy intakes were below the lowest level of requirement (i.e., that of sedentary women who are short in stature), the mean BMI of subjects was within the normal range. Women with BN may require less energy per day to maintain body weight (Gwirtsman et al, 1989;Bennett, Williamson, & Powers, 1989;Devlin, Walsh, Kral, & Heymsfield, 1990;Orbanazek, Lesem, & Jimerson, 1987) and binge eating would contribute toward energy intake. The lower absolute intakes of macronutrients were a function of lower energy intakes.…”

Binge eating as escape from self-awareness.

“…Set point theory is also consistent with evidence that severe bulimics have lower resting metabolism rates than less severe bulimics or normals (S. A. Bennett, Williamson, & Powers, 1989), which could mean that severe bulimics are below some biological set point, causing the body to respond by lowering metabolic rate in the effort to conserve calories.…”

“…Set point theory is also consistent with evidence that severe bulimics have lower resting metabolism rates than less severe bulimics or normals (S. A. Bennett, Williamson, & Powers, 1989), which could mean that severe bulimics are below some biological set point, causing the body to respond by lowering metabolic rate in the effort to conserve calories. Lastly, bulimics (although not dieters; see Esses & Herman, 1984) show patterns of taste responsiveness that are consistent with the effects of caloric deprivation; specifically, sweet foods continue to taste good as one approaches satiety (Rodin, Bartoshuk, Peterson, & Schank, 1990).…”

Resting energy expenditure in acutely ill and stabilized patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa

“…Mean measured REE in actively ill patients with BN has been found in some studies (Benett, Williamson, & Powers, 1988;Obarzanek et al, 1991), although not all (Detzer et al, 1994), to be significantly lower compared to healthy controls, and lower than the predicted REE (Schebendach et al, 1995), although to a lesser extent than in AN. The difference in baseline REE between normal-weight patients with BN and controls cannot be accounted for solely by weight differences (Obarzanek et al, 1991).…”

The nutrient intake of women with bulimia nervosa

“…It is notable that although nonbinge energy intakes were below the lowest level of requirement (i.e., that of sedentary women who are short in stature), the mean BMI of subjects was within the normal range. Women with BN may require less energy per day to maintain body weight (Gwirtsman et al, 1989;Bennett, Williamson, & Powers, 1989;Devlin, Walsh, Kral, & Heymsfield, 1990;Orbanazek, Lesem, & Jimerson, 1987) and binge eating would contribute toward energy intake. The lower absolute intakes of macronutrients were a function of lower energy intakes.…”

Binge eating as escape from self-awareness.

“…Set point theory is also consistent with evidence that severe bulimics have lower resting metabolism rates than less severe bulimics or normals (S. A. Bennett, Williamson, & Powers, 1989), which could mean that severe bulimics are below some biological set point, causing the body to respond by lowering metabolic rate in the effort to conserve calories.…”

“…Set point theory is also consistent with evidence that severe bulimics have lower resting metabolism rates than less severe bulimics or normals (S. A. Bennett, Williamson, & Powers, 1989), which could mean that severe bulimics are below some biological set point, causing the body to respond by lowering metabolic rate in the effort to conserve calories. Lastly, bulimics (although not dieters; see Esses & Herman, 1984) show patterns of taste responsiveness that are consistent with the effects of caloric deprivation; specifically, sweet foods continue to taste good as one approaches satiety (Rodin, Bartoshuk, Peterson, & Schank, 1990).…”

Resting energy expenditure in acutely ill and stabilized patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa

“…Mean measured REE in actively ill patients with BN has been found in some studies (Benett, Williamson, & Powers, 1988;Obarzanek et al, 1991), although not all (Detzer et al, 1994), to be significantly lower compared to healthy controls, and lower than the predicted REE (Schebendach et al, 1995), although to a lesser extent than in AN. The difference in baseline REE between normal-weight patients with BN and controls cannot be accounted for solely by weight differences (Obarzanek et al, 1991).…”

The nutrient intake of women with bulimia nervosa

“…It is notable that although nonbinge energy intakes were below the lowest level of requirement (i.e., that of sedentary women who are short in stature), the mean BMI of subjects was within the normal range. Women with BN may require less energy per day to maintain body weight (Gwirtsman et al, 1989;Bennett, Williamson, & Powers, 1989;Devlin, Walsh, Kral, & Heymsfield, 1990;Orbanazek, Lesem, & Jimerson, 1987) and binge eating would contribute toward energy intake. The lower absolute intakes of macronutrients were a function of lower energy intakes.…”