Binge Eating and Satiety in Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder: Effects

Abstract: Objective: The current study tested the hypothesis that supplemental dietary protein would reduce binge eating frequency and test meal intake in women with bulimia nervosa (BN) or binge eating disorder (BED).Method: Eighteen women with BN or BED ingested high-carbohydrate or high-protein supplements (280 kcal) three times daily over two 2-week periods. On the morning after each period, participants were given a high-protein or high-carbohydrate supplement (420 kcal) 3 hr before an ad libitum meal. Results: Binge eating episodes occurred less frequently during protein supplementation (1.12 episodes per week) than during carbohydrate supplementation (2.94 episodes per week) or baseline (3.01 epi-sodes per week). Participants reported less hunger and greater fullness, and consumed less food at test meals, after protein than after carbohydrate (673 vs. 856 kcal). Discussion: Adding protein to the diets of women with BN and BED reduced food intake and binge eating over a 2-week period. These findings may have implications for the longer-term treatment of thes