Food behavior between men and women with eating disorders

Abstract

Eating disorders, are characterized by a persistent eating disorder or behavior related to it. The objective of this research was to compare the eating behavior between men and women with eating disorders. The records of all patients in the Group of Assistance in Eating Disorders at Hospital das Clí­nicas de Ribeirão Preto-USP from its foundation 1982 to May 2017, with a total of 243 patients. Included male patients independent of age, diagnosed with AN and BN. Excluding pregnant women, incomplete records and patients with different diagnoses, resulting in 12 men and 20 women. Data regarding sex, BMI, treatment time, disease evolution and eating behavior were collected, the 24 hour recall using Diet Pro 5i. No difference was found between the ages of the male and female groups (p = 0.1118), initial BMI (p = 0.068) and final (p = 0.4817). In the male group, the final BMI was higher than the initial BMI (p = 0.0096). A similar result was found in the female group (p = 0.0001). The proportion of subjects reporting vomiting was higher in the male group (p = 0.0373), laxative / diuretic (p = 0.0217), diet / light (p = 0, 0400) meals on the sly (p = 0.0386). There was no difference between the groups regarding the use of sweetener (p = 0.2233), main and nocturnal meals (p = 0.1478)/(p = 0.1429) and avoidance fatty foods (p = 0.4432). It was concluded that the men had inadequate dietary behaviors superior to those of women. It is suggested that more research be done to better understand these pathologies in order to improve care and prognosis.