Effects of mood on heart rate reactivity in bulimia nervosa

Subjects were shown a series of slides before and after a negative mood-induction procedure while their heart rate was recorded. Self-reports of mood, craving, and self-efficacy were obtained before and after each series of picture presentations. Significant effects on mood confirmed the effectiveness of the mood-induction procedure in both groups. Following the mood induction, the bulimics showed significantly increased heart rate (HR) decelerations to food pictures, reflecting increased attention (an orienting response). Restrained eaters did not significantly differ in their responses to any of the stimuli in either mood state. The increased attention to food together with the increased craving in the bulimics when experiencing negative mood may help explain bulimics' increased probability of binge eating in response to stressful situations.

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