Multi-method assessment of palatable food exposure in women with and without eating disorders

Eating disorders (EDs) are characterized by dysregulated responses to palatable food. Using a multi-method approach, this study examined responses to palatable food exposure and subsequent ad libitum eating in women with binge-eating disorder (BED: n = 64), anorexia nervosa (AN: n = 16), and bulimia nervosa (BN: n = 35) and 26 healthy controls (HCs).

Participants were exposed to palatable food followed by an ad libitum eating opportunity. Affective and psychophysiological responses were measured before and during the task.

Participants with EDs reported greater negative affect, particularly fear, following the food cue exposure, whereas HCs reported no change. BN and BED groups reported greater urge to binge after the food cue exposure, whereas AN and HC groups reported no change. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia levels, skin conductance and tonic skin conductance levels increased during food exposure for all groups. Across baseline and during the food exposure, the BED group had lower respiratory sinus arrhythmia levels relative to the BN and HC groups. The BED group consumed significantly more palatable food than the AN group.

'Palatable' food stimuli elicited more negative affect, particularly fear, in individuals with EDs; and this, rather than psychophysiological responses, distinguishes individuals with EDs from those without.