Food allergy: A manifestation of eating disorder?

Abstract

Six patients presenting with long history of multiple food allergies producing subjective symptoms not typical of allergy are presented. The diagnosis of food allergy was considered spurious in each case, because purported association of food and symptoms is not reproducible. In these cases longstanding abnormal eating behavior and weight problems preceded the diagnosis of “food allergy” when weight reduction diets were not effective. Acceptance of this pseudodiagnosis is enhanced in patients with susceptibility to suggestion. In any patient with a history of multiple food “allergies” the possibility of an underlying disorder in eating or in weight control should be thoroughly investigated.

Psychological characteristics of patients with reported adverse reactions to foods

“…Those with unconfirmed reactions also were more likely to have adopted nonconformist eating patterns similar to those practised by groups such as health food users or vegetarians. The present findings provide some support for Terr's (1986b) clinical observations that some individuals with unconfirmed reactions exhibited disturbed eating patterns and that eating disorders may be a potential problem in these individuals.…”

Psychological characteristics of patients with reported adverse reactions to foods

“…Those with unconfirmed reactions also were more likely to have adopted nonconformist eating patterns similar to those practised by groups such as health food users or vegetarians. The present findings provide some support for Terr's (1986b) clinical observations that some individuals with unconfirmed reactions exhibited disturbed eating patterns and that eating disorders may be a potential problem in these individuals.…”

Psychological burden of food allergy

“…Pearson and Rix reported patients with total caloric intake less than 400 KCal a day, who existed on little more than boiled potatoes [46] . Case reports indicate an association [79,80] that should be systematically studied.…”

Psychological aspects of food allergy

“…Again, the association between food allergy symptoms and eating disorders has not been systematically studied, but there have been case reports indicating same [31,32].…”

Psychological characteristics of patients with reported adverse reactions to foods

“…Those with unconfirmed reactions also were more likely to have adopted nonconformist eating patterns similar to those practised by groups such as health food users or vegetarians. The present findings provide some support for Terr's (1986b) clinical observations that some individuals with unconfirmed reactions exhibited disturbed eating patterns and that eating disorders may be a potential problem in these individuals.…”

Psychological burden of food allergy

“…Pearson and Rix reported patients with total caloric intake less than 400 KCal a day, who existed on little more than boiled potatoes [46] . Case reports indicate an association [79,80] that should be systematically studied.…”

Psychological aspects of food allergy

“…Again, the association between food allergy symptoms and eating disorders has not been systematically studied, but there have been case reports indicating same [31,32].…”

Psychological characteristics of patients with reported adverse reactions to foods

“…Those with unconfirmed reactions also were more likely to have adopted nonconformist eating patterns similar to those practised by groups such as health food users or vegetarians. The present findings provide some support for Terr's (1986b) clinical observations that some individuals with unconfirmed reactions exhibited disturbed eating patterns and that eating disorders may be a potential problem in these individuals.…”

Psychological burden of food allergy

“…Pearson and Rix reported patients with total caloric intake less than 400 KCal a day, who existed on little more than boiled potatoes [46] . Case reports indicate an association [79,80] that should be systematically studied.…”

Psychological aspects of food allergy

“…Again, the association between food allergy symptoms and eating disorders has not been systematically studied, but there have been case reports indicating same [31,32].…”