Background
eating episodes, vomiting, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, weight loss
REMISSION, PURGING
In a psychotherapy setting, there may be limited attention to safeguard the somatic health of persons suffering from bulimia nervosa (BN) or binge eating disorder (BED). Weight fluctuations and dysfunctional eating patterns due to recurrent binge eating episodes and purging methods like fasting, vomiting, misuse of laxatives, and excessive physical exercise [Knowledge from the field of physiology and weight regulation points towards a metabolic adaption with increasing weight loss, or also due to eating restriction and/or extreme weight loss practices irrespective of weight reduction per se [Some methodological issues with the current studies of metabolic and thyroid markers among persons with BN and BED may be noted: the practice of blood sampling in post-prandial conditions, deficient reporting on the analyzed cholesterol- or plasma lipid fractions, lack of comparisons with recommended levels as devised by clinical guidelines, as well as the lack of prospective study designs [Physical activity can improve glycemic control and plasma lipid levels by increased muscle metabolism and by the production of signal substances (myokines) with metabolic effects in organ tissues like fat tissue and the liver [The current study contributes to the accumulation of knowledge on how remission, or regular physical activity, may affect metabolic health in individuals with BN or BED; hence, the aims of this study were:To describe the pre-treatment metabolic profile (i.e., blood lipids and glucose) and thyroid hormones of women with BN or BED.To examine immediate and one-year changes in the metabolic profile and thyroid hormones following treatment with either PED-t or CBT.To explore the role of remission in effecting metabolic and thyroid hormonal changes.We hypothesized that (1) at pre-treatment women with BN or BED will display an impaired metabolic profile, and more notably among those presenting with BED; (2) that responding to either CBT or PED-t will improve metabolic profile, but that (3) the PED-t will surpass the CBT in improving metabolic profile because of its focus on regular eating and physical activity.