the minnesota starvation study - an informational thread

in the 1940s, a scientist launched an experiment to better understand the effects of starvation. he recruited 36 young, male volunteers that were deemed mentally and physically fit and capable of tolerating a demanding research protocol.

after a control period of 12 weeks, where they consumed a regular amount of calories a day, their caloric intake was cut in half for the starvation phase. they were observed for six months under this restricted condition.

effects : the volunteers days revolved around meals times. they dreamed and fantasized about food, specifically high calorie/high fat food. they spent most of their time talking abt food, recipes, and agriculture. some men even enjoyed watching others eat or smelling food.

the men ate as slowly as they could, not wanting the experience to end. they had unlimited access to coffee and gum. any opportunity to gain access to food the men would binge eat thousands of calories.

where the men were once lively and debated politics and current events, the men became single-minded you focused on food. they became irritable, anxious, and withdrawn. there was a major increase in anxiety and obsessive thinking.

interestingly enough, in spite of their significant weight loss and skeletal appearance, most the men did not see themselves as underweight. they also viewed others in comparison as “fat.” some men also became preoccupied with their abdominal area, bloating, and constipation.

after six months of starvation, and a loss of 25% of their body weight, the men were observed through the re-feeding process while they slowly restored weight. some men were allowed to re-feed without a controlled protocol, these men engaged in extreme overeating.

as the men restored their weight, their behavior appeared to normalize. some takeaways: restriction of nutrition leads to a heightened interest in food and eating, over-eating may be a direct result of under-eating, many features of anorexia are actually symptoms of starvation, +

prolonged restriction of food negatively impacts mood, and inability to stick to strict diets is not because of a lack of will power, there is a biological pill to maintain a consistent body weight.