Control and loss of control over eating: An experimental investigation.

The present study provides experimental evidence for the restraint theory's proposition of a causal link between restraint and disturbances in food-intake control. Twenty-seven obese women were randomly assigned to a diet group (high restraint), an exercise group (low restraint), or a control group for a 7-week group treatment program. On Weeks 4 and 6, all subjects participated individually in two laboratory sessions designed to investigate the regulation of food intake. In Session 1, food intake and appetite for food were assessed before and after a preload. In Session 2, food intake was assessed under stressful conditions. The results showed that the dieters ate more than either of the other two groups in all conditions. The possible mechanisms linking conscious regulation of eating with disturbances in control are discussed.