Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.
Technische Universität Dresden, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Research Group Applied Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Dresden, Germany.
Int J Eat Disord. 2021 Jul;54(7):1160-1170. doi: 10.1002/eat.23500. Epub 2021 Mar 9.
The present study investigates the impact of psychosocial stress on chewing and eating behavior in patients with anorexia nervosa (P ).
The eating and chewing behavior of P were examined in a standardized setting by means of a chewing sensor. These procedures encompassed n = 19 P , age, and gender matched to n = 19 healthy controls (HC). Food intake and chewing frequency were assessed in two experimental conditions: rest versus stress (via Trier Social Stress Test). To verify stress induction, two appraisal scales were employed. In addition, chronic stress, psychological distress and eating disorder symptoms were assessed.
In terms of food intake and chewing frequency, the results of the 2x2 ANOVA demonstrated a significant effect of condition and group. During stress, all participants demonstrated a higher chewing frequency and a decreased ingestion. In general, patients ate less at a lower chewing frequency (vs. HC). However, sample specific analyses demonstrated that the eating and chewing behavior of P remained unchanged regardless of the condition, except for their drinking. Food choices were comparable between the groups, but appetite values significantly differed.
The increase in chewing frequency in all participants during stress suggests that chewing might impact affect regulation, however, not specifically in P . Future research should clarify to what extent the normalization of chewing behavior could ameliorate ED-symptoms (incl. food intake) in P . The application of a chewing sensor could support this aim and future interventions.
本研究旨在探讨心理社会应激对神经性厌食症（P ）患者咀嚼和进食行为的影响。
通过咀嚼传感器在标准化环境中检查 P 的进食和咀嚼行为。这些程序包括 n = 19 名 P ，年龄和性别与 n = 19 名健康对照（HC）相匹配。在两种实验条件下评估食物摄入量和咀嚼频率：休息与应激（通过特里尔社会应激测试）。为了验证应激诱导，使用了两个评估量表。此外，还评估了慢性应激、心理困扰和饮食障碍症状。
在食物摄入量和咀嚼频率方面，2x2 ANOVA 的结果显示条件和组的影响具有统计学意义。在应激期间，所有参与者的咀嚼频率增加，摄入减少。一般来说，患者的进食量减少，咀嚼频率降低（与 HC 相比）。然而，样本特定分析表明，除了他们的饮水之外，P 的进食和咀嚼行为保持不变，无论条件如何。两组的食物选择无差异，但食欲值存在显著差异。
所有参与者在应激期间咀嚼频率增加表明咀嚼可能影响情绪调节，但不仅仅是在 P 中。未来的研究应该阐明咀嚼行为的正常化在多大程度上可以改善 P 的 ED 症状（包括食物摄入）。咀嚼传感器的应用可以支持这一目标和未来的干预措施。
