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Interaction between Disinhibition and restraint: Implications for body weight and eating disturbance

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Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An increase in obesity is usually accompanied by an increase in eating disturbances. Susceptibility to these states may arise from different combinations of underlying traits: Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) Restraint and Disinhibition. Two studies were conducted to examine the interaction between these traits; one on-line study (n=351) and one laboratory-based study (n=120). Participants completed a battery of questionnaires and provided self-report measures of body weight and physical activity. A combination of high Disinhibition and high Restraint was associated with a problematic eating behaviour profile (EAT-26), and a higher rate of smoking and alcohol consumption. A combination of high Disinhibition and low Restraint was associated with a higher susceptibility to weight gain and a higher sedentary behaviour. These data show that different combinations of Disinhibition and Restraint are associated with distinct weight and behaviour outcomes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Psychology Studies, University of Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, UK

    E. J. Bryant

  2. Section of Nutrition and Health, University of Abertay, Dundee, Scotland

    K. Kiezerbrink

  3. Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Human Movement Studies, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

    N. A. King

  4. Institute of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, UK

    J. E. Blundell

Authors
  1. E. J. Bryant
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  2. K. Kiezerbrink
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  3. N. A. King
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  4. J. E. Blundell
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Correspondence to E. J. Bryant.

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Bryant, E.J., Kiezerbrink, K., King, N.A. et al. Interaction between Disinhibition and restraint: Implications for body weight and eating disturbance. Eat Weight Disord 15, e43–e51 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325279

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325279

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