Women with high scores for cognitive dietary restraint choose foods lower in fat and energy.
Women with high dietary restraint typically report restricting energy intake and using reduced-kilocalorie foods in an effort to achieve or maintain a certain body weight. However, previous studies of food choices associated with dietary restraint have been limited by the self-report of participants' food selections. We provided all foods consumed during a free-living 24-hour period to 62 normal-weight women with high (n=33) or low (n=29) dietary restraint, and observed choices from among similar foods varying in fat, fiber, and energy content. Women with high dietary restraint consumed less energy and chose reduced-kilocalorie and reduced-fat foods more frequently than unrestrained eaters. Group differences in choices of milk, cream cheese, mayonnaise, salad dressing, and soda were noted. Dietitians may consider frequent use of reduced-kilocalorie and reduced-fat foods a potential indicator of high dietary restraint, which may have health consequences. Accordingly, further exploration of clients' tendency to restrict dietary intake may be warranted.
Rideout
Candice A
CA
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
McLean
Judy A
JA
Barr
Susan I
SI
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004435:Eating / Q000523:psychology*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009753:Nutritive Value
D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber