A new study has shed light on the enduring effects of eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa (AN) and binge eating disorder (BED), on individuals’ relationship with food. Researchers compared food cravings among people who self-reported a history of either AN or BED, revealing striking differences in how these two groups experience cravings and maintain control over their eating behaviours. The findings were published in the journal Clinical Psychologist.
Dr Jônatas de Oliveira from the University of So Paulo conducted the study, which examined data from 47 participants – 17 of whom had AN histories and 30 of whom had BED histories. It found that individuals with past AN experience significantly lower levels of food cravings compared to those with a history of BED. This suggests that the effects of AN on eating behaviour persist even after other symptoms may have subsided.
De Oliveira explained: “My primary motivation in this study was to assess eating behaviour and dieting practices among university students. As I delved deeper into the analysis, I focused on food cravings and formulated a research question: Does an individual’s history impact their current behaviour?”
Anorexia nervosa is known to profoundly alter individuals’ relationship with food, causing not only physical weight loss but also psychological changes in how cravings are processed. According to the study, participants with a history of AN reported reduced food cravings across multiple domains, including a diminished desire to eat, a lower sense of guilt associated with cravings, and significantly less “loss of control”. These findings align with previous research, which suggests that AN sufferers may have altered emotional and cognitive responses to food stimuli.
One of the key findings is that even after recovery, individuals with AN retain a strong inhibition towards food, with cravings seen more as a source of anxiety than pleasure. This contrasts sharply with individuals with BED, who report a stronger sense of urgency and compulsion to eat when faced with cravings, especially high-calorie foods.
On the other hand, BED is characterised by an intense urge to eat a lot of food and frequently has little control over it. The study found that those with past BED reported higher levels of food cravings, particularly when it came to the anticipation of eating as a source of relief from negative emotions. This aligns with the broader understanding that BED involves a more emotional attachment to food, where cravings are closely tied to feelings of reward or comfort.
“Having a history of an eating disorder influences food cravings, and this impact differs when comparing cases of anorexia nervosa to binge eating disorder,” de Oliveira noted.
Interestingly, the study also found that current symptoms of binge eating continued to affect food cravings. When binge-eating behaviours were present, cravings were particularly heightened, further emphasising the role of emotional and psychological factors in BED.
De Oliveira added: “For future research, I am further exploring the issue of cravings in anorexia nervosa, prompted by an additional research question. Some data suggest that these patients may experience food addiction. From my perspective as a clinician and researcher, this is contradictory, as their responses to food cravings suggest they are unlikely to develop food addiction.”
The findings of this study offer valuable insights for the treatment of eating disorders, particularly in understanding the long-term psychological effects of conditions like AN and BED. By highlighting the differences in food craving experiences between these two groups, the study suggests that personalised treatment strategies are crucial. Interventions focusing on reducing food-related anxiety may be particularly beneficial for individuals with AN, while those with BED may require more targeted support to manage emotional eating.
Reflecting on the study’s potential impact, de Oliveira said: “New debates are likely to emerge from these findings,” signalling the potential for this research to challenge existing perceptions of food cravings in eating disorders.
The research also raises important questions about how food cravings can serve as a marker for the psychological impact of past eating disorders. As both AN and BED involve deeply ingrained behaviours and thought patterns around food, understanding the role of cravings could help clinicians develop more effective, tailored interventions to support long-term recovery.
