Erin E. Reilly

Dietary restraint: what's the harm? A review of the relationship between dietary restraint, weight trajectory and the development of eating pathology

Dietary restraint has historically been implicated as a risk factor for the development of eating pathology. Despite existing findings, recent research suggests that many individuals are capable of practicing dietary restraint without negative effects. In order to successfully incorporate the positive aspects of dietary restraint into interventions for healthy weight management, a nuanced examination of the relationship between dietary restraint and resulting eating patterns is necessary. Accordingly, the current review seeks to clarify the existing literature with regard to dietary restraint. First, this review examines the construct of dietary restraint and differentiates dietary restraint from related constructs, such as weight loss dieting. Second, it identifies situations in which dietary restraint has been linked with positive outcomes, such as healthy weight management and prevention of eating pathology. Altogether, it appears that dietary restraint can prove a beneficial strategy for those attempting to control their weight, as it does not relate to increased levels of eating pathology when practiced as part of a well‐validated weight management programme.

Patterns of Compensatory Behaviors and Disordered Eating in College Students.

Abstract. Objective: The current study investigated rates of endorsement of eating-related compensatory behaviors within a college sample. Participants: This sample included male and female students (N = 1,158). Methods: Participants completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q). The study defined 3 groups of students: those who did not endorse purging behaviors, those who endorsed only exercise, and those who endorsed laxative use or vomiting. Rates of related eating disorder risk variables were compared across the 3 groups. Results: Almost half of college students reported utilizing exercise as a compensatory strategy over the past 28 days. Those reporting compensatory exercise did not differ from other community and college samples on EDE-Q subscales. Conclusions: Findings suggest that college students report significant rates of compensatory exercise, and those who report exercise as their only compensatory behavior also report relatively low levels of eating disorder risk.

Gender-based differential item functioning in common measures of body dissatisfaction

Many widely used measures of body image were developed using all-female samples and thus may not adequately capture the male experience of body dissatisfaction. The current study examined differential item functioning (DIF) in three commonly-used measures of body image: The Body Shape Questionnaire (N=590, 39.7% male), the Body Dissatisfaction subscale of the Eating Disorders Inventory (N=529, 44.6% male), and the Shape and Weight Concern subscales of the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (N=1116, 43.5% male). Participants completed a series of measures evaluating body image and eating pathology. Results evidenced statistically significant DIF in several of the items; one item met criteria for clinically significant DIF. While most items did not evidence clinically elevated levels of DIF, additional evaluation is necessary in order to determine overall quality of the measures in terms of capturing the experience of male body image concerns.

Gender-Moderated Links between Urgency, Binge Drinking, and Excessive Exercise.

ABSTRACT Objective: Exercise correlates with alcohol use, but the nature of this relation and the extent to which it is maladaptive remains unclear. Urgency and motives for engaging in drinking and exercise might indicate when these behaviors are problematic. The current study examined whether urgency moderated the association between exercise motivated by weight loss and drinking. Participants: College students (N = 589, 45.7% male) completed the study during the spring of 2012. Methods: Participants completed self-report assessment measures, including frequency/quantity of alcohol consumption, exercise for weight loss, and urgency, during a single session. Results: Negative urgency moderated the relation between exercise and alcohol consumption in men but not women; the link between excessive exercise and alcohol use was stronger for men with higher levels of urgency. Conclusions: Further clarification of the mechanisms underlying alcohol use and physical activity—particularly maladaptive approaches to exercise—will inform health interventions among college students.

Running to win or to be thin? An evaluation of body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptoms among adult runners.

The current study evaluated associations between sport-performance-related body dissatisfaction (BD), general-appearance-related BD, and their relation to EAT-26 scores among a sample of adult runners who participated in middle- and long-distance races in the northeastern United States (N=400, 46.5% male). Women reported elevated BD and eating disorder symptoms, as compared to men. Ridge regression was used to analyze correlations between appearance- and performance-related BD with EAT-26 scores. Results demonstrated that appearance- and performance-related BD positively correlated with EAT-26 scores in women (βs=0.18 and 0.13, respectively). Race length was a significant covariate for women, such that those who ran middle-distance race events were more likely to report higher EAT-26 scores (β=-3.12). These associations were not demonstrated in men. Results suggest that it is beneficial to address sport-specific body image concerns, in addition to more general appearance-related body image concerns in female runners.

Binge Eating Disorder

Despite the fact that Binge Eating Disorder was only recently introduced as a formal diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5), there has been a substantial amount of research over the past decade investigating the prevalence, etiology, and treatment of binge eating and loss of control eating behaviors in children and adolescents. The present chapter provides a summary of the current literature on binge eating, loss of control eating, and overeating behaviors in youth. In particular, we aim to (1) provide an overview of different terms and definitions used in the study of binge eating and loss of control eating, (2) outline available assessment tools for measuring binge eating within child and adolescent populations, (3) review existing research in the etiology and treatment of binge eating behaviors in youth, and (4) discuss important trends in symptom presentation and course within this population. Overall, we hope to provide an informative summary of current work regarding eating-disordered behaviors in children, with the larger intent of highlighting the areas in which future research can enhance our understanding and treatment of this debilitating condition.

Does short-term fasting promote pathological eating patterns?

Fasting, or going a significant amount of time without eating, has been identified as a risk factor for the development of pathological eating patterns. Findings from several studies examining the impact of fasting on subsequent eating behaviors have been mixed. The current study recruited college students to record food intake, episodes of binge eating, and use of compensatory behaviors before, throughout, and following a 24-hour fast. Participants attended an initial appointment in which they completed measures of dietary restraint and disinhibition and received instructions on self-monitoring and fasting. Participants (N=122) self-monitored their eating behaviors for 96 h, including a 24-hour fasting period. Participants did not demonstrate significant increases in disordered eating behaviors following the fast (e.g., objective binge episodes, self-defined excessive eating or compensatory behavior use). Baseline disinhibition predicted excessive eating as well as objective binge episodes both before and after fasting. Altogether, findings have implications for research seeking to further understand how fasting may contribute to the development of pathological eating patterns; specifically, it seems that the ED risk associated with fasting is derived from the behaviors interaction with other individual difference variables.