Food preferences and aversions and dietary pattern in anorexia nervosa patients
Van Binsbergen, C.J.; Hulshof, K.F.; Wedel, M.; Odink, J.; Coelingh Bennink, H.J.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 42(8): 671-678
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0954-3007 PMID: 3181100 Document Number: 317663
Food intake, meal frequency and occurrence of vomiting and purging were assessed in 20 female patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) by 2 dietitians by means of a dietary history over the past month. Ten lean healthy women and 10 of normal weight served as 2 control groups. Two self-administered questionnaires, consisting of 51 questions each, were developed and applied: one to get an insight into food preference and food aversion, the other to evaluate the dietary pattern. There was a significant difference in energy intake between the patient group and both control groups, but not between the 2 control groups. Self-induced vomiting and weekly laxative use was mentioned only by the patients. Between the patients and the controls there were significant differences in preference and aversion for several food products such as sugar, potatoes, meat, dates and bananas as well as in eating habits. Stepwise discriminant analysis of the data of the 2 questionnaires resulted in 8 food items and 3 dietary pattern statements which specify group differences. It is concluded that the questionnaires used reveal important differences between AN patients and control subjects in attitudes towards foodstuffs, and can be a useful tool for early diagnosis when validated in larger samples of patients and controls.