Ciclo mestruale e comportamento alimentare: Un legame adattativo estrogeno-dipendente

Eating disorders are more prevalent in females. Hormonal fluctuations related to the menstrual cycle modulate appetite control mechanisms and eating behavior. Indeed, food intake and food craving are significantly raised in the luteal phase, particularly in women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). In addition food craving and depression are profoundly related throughout the menstrual cycle, suggesting a common etiology. Estradiol seems to be implicated in the physiologic control of eating in laboratory animals and this has potential adaptive significance in terms of reproduction also in women. Therefore, interaction of estradiol with the complex network of central and peripheral pathways involved in appetite and weight regulation may be the major factor underlying the sexual dimorphism of eating disorders.