Binge eating and satiety in bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder: Effects of macronutrient intake

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 episodes 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 these disorders. © 2004 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 36: 402–415, 2004.