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Thesis
Why are so many individuals with bulimia nervosa low in weight suppression?
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001630
Abstract
Weight suppression (WS), or the difference between one's highest past weight and current weight, is associated with many problematic characteristics in individuals with bulimia nervosa (BN). It is theorized that WS contributes to eating disorder (ED) characteristics through the initiation of metabolic and appetitive responses that lead to dysregulated food intake and weight gain. However, many individuals with BN exhibit little or no WS, raising a question about the WS model, and little work has been done to understand this phenomenon. Therefore, this thesis aimed to provide the first investigation into individuals with BN and low WS through an examination of broader weight history. Specifically, we compared individuals with low and high WS on four weight variables of interest (i.e., premorbid high, postmorbid high, postmorbid low, and current weight), in addition to ED psychopathology and first reported ED sign. In addition to utilizing the traditional WS measure (TWS), we conducted analyses using a new, developmentally sensitive measure (DWS) to add to the growing body of literature on this proposed formulation. Our results revealed starkly different weight histories between low and high WS groups, in which the high WS groups displayed dramatic weight losses and only partial weight regain, and the low WS groups demonstrated modest weight losses and a pattern of weight gain over time; thus, it appears that those with currently low WS were always relatively low in WS, and other factors may be responsible for their symptoms. We also found that those with low WS were lower on measures of restraint and purging, and higher on binge eating to self-induced vomiting frequency, than those with high WS, so that their binge eating might be more hedonically driven. However, no differences were found on first reported ED sign. Finally, these analyses provided support for the DWS measure and suggested that those with high DWS may be under even greater biobehavioral pressures than previously imagined with the TWS formulation. Limitations and future directions are explored.
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Details
- Title
- Why are so many individuals with bulimia nervosa low in weight suppression?
- Creators
- Sarah Marie Fisher
- Contributors
- Michael R. Lowe (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- vii, 67 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991020668807404721