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Olfaction in eating disorders and abnormal eating behavior: a systematic review
Mohammed A Islam1, Ana B Fagundo1, Jon Arcelus2
1Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bellvitge-IDIBELL Barcelona, Spain ; CIBER de Fisiopatologia de la Obesidad y Nutrición -ISCIII Barcelona, Spain.
Frontiers in Psychology
|October 21, 2015
Summary
This review found altered olfactory capacity in anorexia nervosa and obesity, but not typically in bulimia nervosa. Further research on olfaction and eating disorders is needed for deeper understanding.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Eating disorders (ED) involve complex etiopathology.
- Olfactory capacity may play a role in eating behaviors.
- Current literature on olfaction in ED is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review existing literature on olfactory capacity in abnormal eating behaviors.
- To explore if olfaction research offers insights into the etiopathology of ED.
- To identify research gaps concerning olfaction and ED.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of electronic databases (Medline, PsycINFO, PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science).
- Search terms combined 'olfaction' with 'abnormal eating behavior'.
- 14 articles selected from 1352 initial results for review.
Main Results:
- Olfactory capacity is altered in anorexia nervosa (AN) and obesity.
- Little to no difference in olfactory capacity was found in bulimia nervosa (BN) patients compared to controls.
- Most studies focused on female participants, particularly those with AN.
Conclusions:
- Olfaction appears altered in specific eating disorders like AN and obesity.
- Current evidence suggests olfactory capacity is not significantly different in BN.
- More research is crucial to understand the relationship between olfaction and abnormal eating behaviors due to study limitations.
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