Food volume effects on intake and appetite in women with binge-eating disorder and weight-matched controls.

OBJECTIVE Our study examined the effect of food volume on later intake and appetite ratings in 15 women with binge eating disorder (BED) and 15 healthy control women. METHOD On nonconsecutive days, lower-volume (250 ml/171 kcal) and higher-volume milk-based preloads (500 ml/171 kcal) were served in counterbalanced order. Thirty minutes later, appetite ratings and intake at a buffet-style test-lunch were assessed. RESULTS Higher-volume preloads decreased hunger, desire to eat, excitement about eating, desire for dessert, and loss of control over eating at test meals, relative to lower-volume preloads. Test-meal intake was greater among BED participants than controls; intake did not differ by preload volume. BED participants' desire to eat, prospective consumption, excitement about eating, and desire for meals and desserts were higher than controls' ratings. CONCLUSION Higher-volume foods decreased hunger and related appetite ratings. Differences in food intake and appetite between BED and control participants provide further evidence for the validity of test meals to assess binge eating.