The impact of exposure to images of ideally thin models in TV commercials on eating behavior: An experimental study with women diagnosed with bulimia nervosa

This study investigates whether eating behavior in women with diagnosed bulimia nervosa is influenced by prior exposure to images of ideally thin models. Twenty-six participants diagnosed with bulimia nervosa (BN) and 30 normal controls (NC) were exposed to body-related and neutral TV commercials; then food that typically triggers binge eating was provided, and the amount of food eaten was measured. No significant difference for food intake between NC and BN could be found, but food intake for BN was predicted by the degree of thoughts related to eating behaviors during exposure to the thin ideal. No impact of general body image or eating pathology on food intake could be found. The results emphasize the importance of action-relevance of dysfunctional cognitions for the maintenance of eating-disordered behaviors in women with bulimia nervosa, when exposed to eating-disorder-specific triggers.

► Eating behavior of bulimic patients is affected by exposure to the thin ideal.
► It was predicted by dysfunctional cognitions related to loss of control.
► Bulimic patients with high levels of these cognitions during exposure ate the most.
► General and state body image had no impact on food intake.