Nutritional aspects of amenorrhoea in eating disordered patients

Dietary and menstrual histories were assessed in 73 eating disordered patients (34 bulimics, 15 anorectic bulimics, 24 anorectics). The data revealed that anorexia nervosa subjects eliminated fat and fatty products, and included complex carbohydrates, as the very first step towards weight reduction. Bulimics irrespective of weight, sought to eliminate bread and cereals, and instead consumed large amounts of fruit and vegetables. Anorectics experienced amenorrhoea after an average mean period of 3 months, while the corresponding time among bulimic subjects was 36 months. Weight losses were greater in bulimic subjects, both in absolute and relative terms when menstruation ceased, although premorbid weight, and body fat content at amenorrhoea were in the same range among both anorectics and bulimics. The results are discussed with respect to the possible impact of iron‐deficiency, partly due to the inhibitory effects of fibres upon non‐haem iron, leading to decreased conversion of T4 to T3, and early menstrual dysfunction. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.