Similarities among bulimic groups selected by different weights and weight histories

Four groups of bulimic patients with different weights and weight histories were compared on measures of eating and psychological functioning. Results with the Eating Disorder Inventory and Eating Attitudes Test indicated that groups were similar in terms of attitudes toward food, eating and body dissatisfaction as well as other traits which have been identified as relevant to eating disorder patients. Results also indicated that the referral patterns of patients with different weight histories have changed over time; previously, most patients had anorexia nervosa either currently or historically but more recently many patients are presenting with symptoms of equal severity but with no history of anorexia nervosa. It is concluded that diagnostic categories for bulimia formed solely on the basis of weight variables may not be clinically useful.