Selective processing of food words in anorexia nervosa.

The selective processing of food- and body size-related information was investigated using a modified version of the Stroop task. Anorexic subjects were generally slower than controls in colour-naming all words, and particularly slow with food-related words. This interference effect appeared to operate maximally amongst subjects who fell into the higher end of the anorexic weight range. The findings appeared to be a reflection of current concerns with food and eating.