Effects of false weight feedback on mood, self-evaluation, and food intake in restrained and unrestrained eaters.
Restrained and unrestrained eaters were weighted 5 lb (2.27 kg) heavier or 5 lb lighter than their actual weight or were not weighed at all. Unrestrained eaters and restrained eaters who were told they weighed 5 lb less were not affected by the false weight feedback. However, restrained eaters who were informed that they weighted 5 lb more reported lower self-esteem, less positive moods, and more negative moods than did restrained eaters in the other 2 conditions. Furthermore, restrained eaters who were led to believe that they weighed heavier ate significantly more food during a subsequent "taste test" than did each of the other groups. Restrained eaters who believed that they were heavier experienced lowered self-worth and a worsening of mood that led them to relinquish their dietary restraint and overindulge in available food. Implications for patients with eating disorders are discussed.
McFarlane
T
T
Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. traci@psych.utoronto.ca
Polivy
J
J
Herman
C P
CP
D000339:Affect; D001835:Body Weight; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005246:Feedback; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000523:psychology; D007389:Internal-External Control; D012649:Self Concept; D013649:Taste; D014342:Truth Disclosure