A naturalistic evaluation of the relation between dietary restraint, the urge to binge, and actual binge eating: a clarification.
OBJECTIVE
The current study attempted to characterize the natural course of events linking dietary restraint to urges to binge and actual binge episodes.


METHODS
Using preprogrammed, hand-held computers, 39 women with bulimia-spectrum eating disorders monitored ongoing eating episodes, dietary restraint, and binge cravings over a 7-29-day interval.


RESULTS
Multilevel modeling analyses indicated that restraint was not systematically elevated before binging. However, elevated restraint preceded strong binge cravings.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that dietary restraint may contribute to binge cravings, but may not be a direct antecedent to binge episodes. Such findings are consistent with restraint theory, which suggests that dietary restraint potentiates binging, but does not necessarily trigger its occurrence.
Engelberg
Marla J
MJ
Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. mengelbe@nygh.on.ca
Gauvin
Lise
L
Steiger
Howard
H
D000328:Adult; D001066:Appetite; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D015930:Diet Records; D005260:Female; D005508:Food Deprivation; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009042:Motivation; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic