Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
07:07
Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice
Published on: June 5, 2016
Does regulatory focus play a role in dietary restraint?
Lenny R Vartanian1, C Peter Herman, Janet Polivy
1Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8205, USA. lenny.vartanian@yale.edu
Eating Behaviors
|October 24, 2006
Summary
Dietary restraint, not regulatory focus, best predicts weight beliefs and dieting behaviors in restrained eaters. Future research should explore obstacles to successful weight regulation.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Regulatory-Focus Theory differentiates self-regulation into promotion and prevention orientations.
- Understanding these orientations may illuminate weight-related beliefs and dieting behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the applicability of Regulatory-Focus Theory to restrained eaters' weight management.
- To identify predictors of weight-related beliefs and dieting behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Two studies assessed dietary restraint, regulatory focus, weight outcome beliefs, and dieting behaviors.
- Participants included restrained and unrestrained eaters.
Main Results:
- Restrained eaters exhibited greater self-regulation than unrestrained eaters.
- Dietary restraint significantly predicted weight beliefs and dieting behaviors.
- Regulatory focus showed minimal association with these beliefs and behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Dietary restraint is a stronger predictor of weight management behaviors than regulatory focus.
- Future research should prioritize identifying barriers to successful weight regulation over individual regulatory focus.
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