Eating Disorders: Taste Sensitivity to 6-N-Propylthiouracil Is Associated With Endocannabinoid Plasma Levels in Normal-Weight Individuals.
Taste sensitivity to 6-n-propylthiouracil is associated with endocannabinoid plasma levels in normal-weight individuals.
Filed under: Eating Disorders
Nutrition. 2013 Mar; 29(3): 531-6
Tomassini Barbarossa I, Carta G, Murru E, Melis M, Zonza A, Vacca C, Muroni P, Di Marzo V, Banni S
A decreased sensitivity to 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) has been shown to be associated with increased energy intake and therefore an increased body mass index, although other studies have not confirmed this association, suggesting the involvement of other factors. We investigated whether the endocannabinoid system, which also modulates hunger/satiety and energy balance, plays a role in modulating eating behavior influenced by a sensitivity to PROP.The plasma profile of the endocannabinoids 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), anandamide (AEA), and congeners of AEA, palmitoylethanolamide and oleylethanolamide (OEA), was determined in normal-weight PROP supertasters (STs) and PROP non-tasters (NTs). A cognitive eating behavior disorder was assessed by the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, which estimates dietary restraint, disinhibition, and perceived hunger.The disinhibition score of NTs was higher than those of STs (P = 0.02). Moreover, in NTs, OEA was inversely correlated to the perceived hunger score (r = -0.7, P = 0.002), and AEA was positively correlated to the restraint score (r = 0.5, P = 0.04) and negatively to the perceived hunger score, although the latter correlation was at the limit of statistical significance (r = -0.47, P = 0.05). In addition, we found lower concentrations of AEA and 2-AG in the plasma of NT compared with ST subjects (AEA, P = 0.034; 2-AG, P = 0.003).Our data suggest that a higher disinhibition behavior in NTs may be compensated in part, in normal-weight subjects, by the decrease of peripheral endocannabinoids to downregulate the hunger-energy intake circuitry.
HubMed – eating
Dieting and Encouragement to Diet by Significant Others: Associations With Disordered Eating in Young Adults.
Filed under: Eating Disorders
Am J Health Promot. 2013 Feb 11;
Eisenberg ME, Berge JM, Neumark-Sztainer D
Abstract Purpose. Examine the role of perceived significant other’s modeling or encouragement of dieting in young adults’ disordered eating behaviors. Design. Online survey data were collected (2008-2009) as part of an ongoing study examining weight and related issues in young people. Setting. Participants were originally recruited as students at middle and high schools in Minnesota (1998-1999). Subjects. One thousand two hundred ninety-four young adults (mean age 25.3, 55% female, 50% white) with significant others. Measures. Participants were asked if their significant other diets or encourages them to diet. Behaviors included unhealthy weight control, extreme weight control, and binge eating. Analysis. General linear models estimated the predicted probability of using each behavior across levels of significant other’s dieting or encouraging dieting, stratifying by gender, and adjusting for demographics and body mass index. Results. Perceived dieting and encouragement to diet by significant others were common. Disordered eating behaviors were positively associated with significant other’s dieting and encouragement to diet, particularly for females. In models including both perceived dieting and encouragement, encouragement remained significantly associated with disordered eating. For example, women’s binge eating was almost doubled if their significant other encouraged dieting “very much” (25.5%) compared to “not at all” (13.6%, p = .015). Conclusion. There is a strong association between disordered eating behaviors and perceived modeling and encouragement to diet by significant others in young adulthood.
HubMed – eating
Health and Eating Behavior Differs Between Lean/Normal and Overweight/Obese Low-Income Women Living in Food-Insecure Environments.
Filed under: Eating Disorders
Am J Health Promot. 2013 Feb 11;
Dressler H, Smith C
Abstract Purpose. To explore differences and similarities in environmental, personal, and behavioral factors influencing eating behavior among low-income women of varying weight status. Design. Focus groups (n = 16) were used to collect qualitative data. Quantitative data collected included demographic, lifestyle, and anthropometric (heights and weights). Setting. Community centers, libraries, and homeless shelters in low-income neighborhoods. Participants. Of the 83 participants, 58% were African-American, 28% were white, and the remainder were American Indian, Hispanic, or mixed race. A total of 35% of participants were lean/normal (body mass index <25 kg/m(2)) and 65% were overweight/obese (body mass index >25 kg/m(2)). Method. Focus group methodology was used to collect data on 83 participants. Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) provided the theoretical basis. Transcripts were analyzed using the open-coding method and comments between lean/normal and overweight/obese women were systematically compared. Results. Focus group themes were food environment, aberrant eating behavior, health values, and beliefs. Differences in personal and behavioral factors were apparent between overweight/obese and lean/normal women, with the former group frequently discussing emotional eating, overeating, and stashing food, and the latter group communicating greater nutrition knowledge and describing regular physical activity. Both groups similarly expressed experiences with food insecurity and lived in low-income environments. Conclusion. For low-income women, personal and behavioral factors may modify the influence of their obesogenic food environment. Further research within the context of SCT should examine differences between lean/normal and overweight/obese women living in the same environment.
HubMed – eating
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