Research on Purging Disorder

Although purging disorder was identified 20 years ago, more detailed studies and information about it have only recently emerged.

Women who purge to compensate for binge episodes. Women with purging disorder who purge to control their weight or shape but do not have binge episodes.

The women completed self-report questionnaires and clinical interviews. They also had blood tests taken before and after consuming a liquid test meal. They were then required to explain their feelings during and after the meal, this included hunger, feeling full, sadness or tension. After the test liquid meal, both the normal eaters and women with purging disorder had similar levels of a chemical called cholecystokinin. This chemical is released by the small intestine after eating and signals that you're full. The women with bulimia had lower levels of this chemical meaning they appear to have a larger appetite.

The women with purging disorder reported that they felt fuller feeling after the meal than the other two groups of women. They also complained of more stomach discomfort than the non eating disorder group and the bulimia nervosa group. As in bulimia patients, purging disorder patients had strict rules about what, and when they could eat. Both bulimics and purging disorder patients also experienced much greater anxiety, depression, and body image disturbance than those without eating disorders.

The study provided evidence that purging disorder is a distinct illness. This is because the women with purging disorder differed from those suffering with bulimia with respect to the physiological mechanism that influences food intake.

More research on purging disorder however is required in order to support its inclusion in the classification of eating disorders.

Professor Pamela keel from the University of Iowa in the United States conducted a study that explored Purging disorder and identified it as its own disorder completely aside from bulimia and anorexia nervosa.

Keel recruited participants for three groups:

 Women without eating disorders. (control group)

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