On the relation of attempting to lose weight, restraint, and binge eating in outpatients with binge eating disorder

Objective: To examine the relationship among attempts to lose weight, restr aint, and eating behavior in outpatients with binge eating disorder (BED). Research Methods and Procedures: Participants were 93 consecutive outpatien ts evaluated for a clinical trial who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual , Fourth edition criteria for BED. The Eating Disorder Examination Intervie w was administered to assess attempts at weight loss, restraint, different forms of overeating, and the attitudinal psychopathology of eating disorder s (i.e., concerns regarding eating, shape, and weight). In addition, the Th ree-Factor Eating Questionnaire was used to assess cognitive restraint, hun ger, and disinhibition. Psychometrically established measures were given to assess body dissatisfaction, depression, and self-esteem. Results: The majority of participants (75.3%; N = 70) reported attempting t o lose weight, but only 37.6% (N = 35) reported dietary restraint on at lea st half the days of the month. Dietary restraint and cognitive restraint we re not associated with any form of binge eating or overeating. Dietary rest raint and cognitive restraint were positively correlated with weight concer n, shape concern, and body dissatisfaction, and negatively correlated with body mass index. To further examine the interplay between attempting to los e weight and restraint, three study groups were created: unrestrained nonat tempters (21.5%, N = 20), unrestrained attempters (40.9%; N = 38), and rest rained attempters (34.4%; N = 32). The three groups did not differ signific antly on binge eating or other eating behaviors; however, significant diffe rences were observed for weight concern, shape concern, and body dissatisfa ction, Discussion: Attempts to lose weight and restraint are not synonymous for pa tients with BED. Although 75.3% of BED patients reported that they were att empting to lose weight, only 37.6% reported dietary restraint on at least h alf the days of the previous month. While restraint was negatively associat ed with body mass index, it was not related to binge eating or overeating. Our findings raise questions about prevailing models that posit restraint a s a predominant factor in the maintenance of binge eating in BED.