Psychosocial Associations of Dietary Restraint: Implications for Healthy Weight Promotion

Abstract

This paper critically reviews research on the psychosocial associations of dietary restraint and evaluates its usefulness in the promotion of healthy weight management. It is concluded that dietary restraint is a sociocultural phenomenon associated with the culture of thinness which impacts women more than men. Dietary restraint is further associated with numerous measures of negative affect, diminished cognitive functioning, body dissatisfaction, overvaluation of weight and shape, and eating disorders. Caution is indicated in the promotion of dietary restraint as a general principle for managing weight. Recommendations are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• health promotion
• diet
• self-esteem
• feeding behavior
• weight loss