Cohort study, 2008
Do hormonal changes during the cycle affect binge eating in women without eating disorders?
Yes. Binge eating urges were higher in the two weeks before the period and lower when estrogen was higher, even in women without eating disorders.
What they did
Two studies of women who tracked their eating behavior daily. In study 1, 10 women completed eating measures for 35 days. In study 2, 9 women completed the same measures for 65 days and also provided daily saliva samples so researchers could measure estrogen and progesterone levels.
What they found
In study 1, emotional eating scores increased during the premenstrual phase compared to other parts of the cycle. In study 2, emotional eating was inversely associated with estrogen and positively associated with progesterone across the menstrual cycle. This relationship held true even when accounting for mood changes.
What it means for you
Hormonal changes affect eating patterns in women without eating disorders, not just those with bulimia. This suggests ovarian hormones could be a risk factor for binge eating. Prospective studies on larger groups are needed. Main limitations are very small sample size and short tracking duration.
10
Women tracked in study 1
9
Women tracked in study 2 with hormone samples
35 and 65
Days of tracking in study 1 and study 2
About the study
- Original title
- Ovarian hormones and binge eating: exploring associations in community samples
- Authors
- Klump KL, Keel PK, Culbert KM et al.
- Journal
- Psychological medicine
- Year
- 2008
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 10
- What was tested
- None - observational study tracking menstrual cycle and hormone changes
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1017/s0033291708002997
Topics
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