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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
04:48
Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System
Published on: May 8, 2018
Primary and secondary control over eating behaviors
Megan de Souza1, Alexander J Mussap, Robert A Cummins
1Deakin University, Australia.
Eating Behaviors
|September 21, 2010
Summary
Engaging with body weight goals increases disordered eating behaviors like restraint and purging. Disengaging from these goals reduces body dissatisfaction and lowers the risk of eating disorders.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Eating Disorder Research
Background:
- The Optimization in Primary and Secondary Control model (OPS model) provides a framework for understanding adaptive and strategic control processes.
- Previous research has explored the dual-pathway model of bulimia, linking attitudinal and behavioral factors to eating disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationships between subjective control, body image, and eating behaviors using the OPS model.
- To investigate how goal engagement and disengagement strategies influence disordered eating attitudes and behaviors.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 180 Australian women completed the Optimization of Primary and Secondary Control Scale (OPS scale) and measures related to bulimia.
- Path analyses were conducted to assess the associations between control strategies, body image, and eating behaviors.
Main Results:
- Goal engagement control strategies were directly linked to increased dietary restraint and purging.
- Goal disengagement strategies were indirectly associated with reduced body dissatisfaction and appearance comparisons, and consequently, with fewer disordered eating behaviors.
- Adaptive goal engagement strategies in other contexts were associated with hazardous attitudes and behaviors regarding body weight.
Conclusions:
- The ability to disengage from body weight goals is associated with a reduced likelihood of developing disordered eating.
- While goal engagement is often adaptive, in the context of body weight, it may lead to potentially harmful eating behaviors.
- Interventions focusing on disengagement from unattainable or unhealthy body weight goals may be beneficial in preventing disordered eating.
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