Restrictive dieting vs. "undieting" effects on eating regulation in obese clinic attenders

This study tested predictions from restraint theory [Herman & Polivy (1984). A boundary model for the regulation of eating. In: A. J. Stunkard, & E. Stellar (Eds.), Eating and its disorders (pp. 141-156) New York: Raven Press.] and the three-factor model of dieting [Psychol. Bull. 114 (1993) 100.] using an eating regulation paradigm. Participants were 42 obese, nonbinge eaters assigned to either a weight loss group (restrictive dieters or RDs) or a group designed to eliminate dieting ("undieters" or UDs). Participants took part in an ostensible ice cream taste test with or without a preload, both before and after the weight control intervention. At pretest, restraint theory's prediction that participants would engage in counter-regulatory eating was not supported. At posttest, after 8 weeks of the dieting interventions, RDs increased and UDs decreased their intake following a preload, a pattern most consistent with the predictions of restraint theory. This counter-regulatory trend was observed in spite of a significant decrease in RDs' Disinhibition scale scores following treatment. Implications of these findings for restraint theory, the three-factor model of dieting, and relapse in obesity treatment were discussed.