The effect of acute weight restoration on dietary fat preference in hospitalized patients with anorexia nervosa

Objective: Individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) restrict fat intake. The Geiselman Food Preference Questionnaire-I© (FPQ) is a validated self-report instrument that yields a fat preference score (>100 = high fat preference, <100 = low fat preference). The goal of the study was to assess the utility of the FPQ in patients with AN.

Specific aims: (1) to examine change in fat preference scores before and after weight restoration in hospitalized patients; and (2) to compare patients' scores before and after weight restoration to scores from healthy participants (HPs).

Method: The FPQ was completed by 88 patients and 115 HPs.

Results: Compared with HPs, patients had significantly lower fat preference scores before (74.03 ± 32.03 vs. 102.93 ± 16.89, P < 0.001) and after (81.51 ± 26.89 vs. 102.92 ± 16.89, P < 0.001) weight restoration. Fat preference scores increased with weight gain (74.03 + 32.03 vs. 81.51 + 26.89, P < 0.01) but did not normalize in AN.

Discussion: Acutely weight restored patients continue to endorse decreased preference for high fat foods. The FPQ may be a useful metric by which to assess improvements in diet during treatment. Further study is warranted to validate the FPQ against observed food intake in AN. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.(Int J Eat Disord 2017; 50:148-151).