Mealtime Physiological Responses in Individuals With Eating Disorders and Healthy Controls.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Mealtimes are highly distressing for individuals with eating disorders (ED), potentially reinforcing disordered eating and complicating recovery. Yet, physiological responses during meals remain understudied. This study explores autonomic nervous system responses during meals in individuals with ED and healthy controls (HC).

Methods

Three studies assessed heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), skin conductance response (SCR), and skin temperature (ST) around lunchtime. Study 1 included 47 hospitalized adult women with ED (26 anorexia nervosa (AN), 8 atypical AN, 13 bulimia nervosa (BN)). Studies 2 and 3 involved 47 and 58 HC in daily life.

Results

Patients reported elevated subjective stress but showed no expected physiological responses in HR. Inste

SUBMITTER: De Schuyteneer E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12694697 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature