The effect of bulimia upon diet, body fat, bone density, and blood components.

A study was conducted to determine baseline data for dietary intake, percent body fat, bone mineral density, and blood components in women with bulimia. Eight bulimic and 10 control subjects completed the study. Each subject was assessed for a 3-day diet, frequency of purge, menstrual history, percent body fat, bone mineral density, by dual photon absorptiometry, and blood components. Mean age, height, and weight of subjects were similar. Percent body fat was similar for both groups. Vomiting was the predominant method of purge. Folacin intake was found to be significantly (p less than .05) lower in bulimic subjects. Control subjects consumed greater quantities of vitamin/mineral supplements than the bulimic subjects. Bone mineral density (gm/cm2) was found to be lower in bulimic subjects. Mean hemoglobin (gm/L [gm/dL]) levels were found to be significantly (p less than .01) higher in control subject. The data indicate that the method and duration of purge behavior could influence bone mineral density and blood components.