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Restraint theory and its implications for obesity treatment
Author(s) -
Ogden Jane
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
clinical psychology and psychotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.315
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1099-0879
pISSN - 1063-3995
DOI - 10.1002/cpp.5640010401
Subject(s) - overeating , obesity , psychology , mood , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , medicine
Restraint theory was developed to evaluate both causes and consequences of attempts to restrict food intake for the purpose of weight maintenance. Research suggests that restraint has many negative consequences including lowered mood and overeating behaviour and that restrained eating is best characterized as an intention which is only occasionally realized. The present paper reviews the restraint literature and examines the implications of restraint theory for obesity treatment. It assesses the role of restraint in both traditional and contemporary behavioural treatment packages for obesity and concludes that if restraint is detrimental to both the physical and psychological health of the normal weight individual, it should not be recommended as a solution to the physical and psychological problems of the obese.