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Reproductive and Appetite Hormones and Bulimic Symptoms during Midlife
Author(s) -
Baker Jessica H.,
Peterson Claire M.,
Thornton Laura M.,
Brownley Kimberly A.,
Bulik Cynthia M.,
Girdler Susan S.,
Marcus Marsha D.,
Bromberger Joyce T.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
european eating disorders review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.511
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1099-0968
pISSN - 1072-4133
DOI - 10.1002/erv.2510
Subject(s) - eating disorders , appetite , etiology , binge eating , bulimia nervosa , hormone , psychology , association (psychology) , exacerbation , medicine , anorexia nervosa , psychiatry , physiology , clinical psychology , psychotherapist
Eating disorders and related symptoms occur during midlife; however, little is known about their aetiology. It has been hypothesised that perimenopause represents a window of vulnerability for the development or exacerbation of eating disorder symptomatology because, like puberty, perimenopause is a period of reproductive hormone change. We compared symptoms of bulimia nervosa (bulimic symptomatology) assessed via mean scores on a self‐report questionnaire in premenopausal and perimenopausal women. We also examined the association between hormone concentrations (reproductive/appetite) and bulimic symptomatology. No mean differences in bulimic symptomatology were observed between premenopause and perimenopause. However, there was a significant positive association between leptin and binge eating. Although no significant associations between reproductive hormones and bulimic symptomatology were observed, additional research is needed to provide definitive information. It is essential to learn more about the aetiology of eating disorders and related symptomatology across the lifespan in order to develop age‐relevant treatment and prevention programs. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.