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Thesis
Hedonic hunger and binge eating in bulimia nervosa
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Aug 2012
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-4041
Abstract
Binge eating is characterized by overconsumption of food and a sense of loss of control over eating, and is a defining feature of bulimia nervosa (BN). Hedonic hunger, the appetitive drive to eat to obtain pleasure in the absence of an energy deficit, is associated with overeating and with loss of control over eating, but has not been investigated in BN. Aims of the present study were (1) to examine the relation between scores on the Power of Food Scale (PFS), a self-report measure of hedonic hunger, and frequency of objective binge eating, subjective binge eating, and urges to binge eat at pre- and post- treatment among individuals with BN; and (2) to examine whether these associations are significant when controlling for other factors thought to drive binge eating, (e.g., dietary restraint and weight suppression). The PFS and measures of eating disorder symptomatology were administered to female patients with BN at admission (N = 86) and discharge (N = 44) from two residential treatment facilities over six months. PFS scores were positively associated with frequency of objective binge eating, subjective binge eating, and urges to binge at pre-treatment; these associations remained significant when controlling for restraint and weight suppression. Pre-treatment PFS scores were not associated with changes in symptomatology during treatment. PFS scores significantly decreased during treatment, and reductions in PFS scores were associated with near-term reductions in urges to binge. Results suggest that hedonic processes may be important in stimulating binge eating, even when other factors thought to drive binge eating are taken into account. In addition, it is possible that the structure imposed on eating during residential treatment may result in reduced hedonic appetite via reduced exposure to highly palatable food. Due to high attrition, further research is needed to investigate whether pre-treatment PFS scores have prognostic significance.
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Details
- Title
- Hedonic hunger and binge eating in bulimia nervosa
- Creators
- Ashley Anne Witt - DU
- Contributors
- Michael R. Lowe (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 4041; 991014632244604721