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Dieting as a case of behavioural decision making. Does self-control matter?
Roeline Kuijer1, Denise de Ridder, Carolijn Ouwehand
1Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. roeline.kuijer@canterbury.ac.nz
Appetite
|May 16, 2008
Summary
Successful dieting requires resisting immediate temptations for long-term rewards. High self-control in restrained eaters improves decision-making for successful weight management.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Decision Making
Background:
- Dieting success hinges on delaying gratification for uncertain long-term benefits.
- Restrained eaters may be categorized as successful (high restraint, low disinhibition) or unsuccessful (high restraint, high disinhibition).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between restrained eating, self-control, and decision-making under uncertainty.
- To determine if self-control moderates the link between restrained eating and effective long-term decision-making.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Iowa Gambling Task to simulate uncertain decision-making scenarios.
- Assessed individual differences in self-control and restrained eating tendencies.
Main Results:
- Self-control significantly moderated the association between restrained eating and decision-making.
- Restrained eating correlated with poorer decision-making when self-control was low.
- Restrained eating correlated with better decision-making when self-control was high.
Conclusions:
- Individuals high in both restraint and self-control demonstrate superior decision-making, potentially leading to greater dieting success.
- Self-control is a critical factor in enabling restrained eaters to prioritize long-term health goals over immediate temptations.
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