Gastric Myoelectric Activity and Body Composition in Women with Binge Eating Disorder and Bulimia Nervosa: A Preliminary Trial Study

Women with eating disorders (EDs) often complain of abnormal gastric responses, which may impact their eating patterns and, consequently, their body composition. Binge eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa (BN) have been shown to affect gastric myoelectric activity (GMA), which may provide a basis for the gastric response in this disease population. This study aimed to examine GMA and body composition in patients with an ED compared to age-body mass index (BMI) matched controls. This case-control study included 18 adults diagnosed with BED or BN compared to 19 age-gender-BMI-matched controls. The electrogastrography with water load test was used to measure GMA during fasting and after water loading to satiety. Body composition was measured using a bioelectric impedance analyzer. The results showed that the ED group had a significantly higher water load than the control group and increased percentages of tachygastria times. Comparing the BED and BN subgroups showed differences in body composition status between the subgroups in the form of less fat mass, muscle mass, and total body water in the BN subgroup. In the BN subgroup, fat mass was associated with the average dominant frequency in the EGG. Thus, measuring GMA may be a promising approach to understanding gastric abnormalities in patients with EDs. Therapies targeting improving body composition in women with BED and BN are recommended in future ED management strategies.