Food intake and success or failure of dietary restraint

Abstract

Objectives: Determination of success and failure of dietary restraint in relation to food intake in 510 females. Methods: Food intake as measured with the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was assessed in low vs. high restrained eaters and overeaters, as measured with the DEBQ (Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire). Results: Restrained eaters with high tendency towards overeating (unsuccessful dieters) scored significantly higher on food intake (i.e., fat, carbohydrates and cholesterol) compared to restrained eaters with low tendency to overeat (successful dieters). Results from structural equation modeling analyses indicate that largest amount of variance in food intake is explained by tendency toward overeating. Conclusion: Food intake is associated with tendency towards overeating rather than restraint.