Differences in eating patterns of successful and unsuccessful dieters, untreated overweight and normal weight individuals

Abstract

Behavioral treatments of obesity appear to make two assumptions. First, obese and non-obese individuals may differ in specific eating behaviors or “eating styles”. Second, successful treatment may change the obese individual's eating style to resemble that of the non-obese. These assumptions were examined by comparing eating behaviors of successfully and unsuccessfully treated overweight individuals, untreated overweight individuals, and normal weight individuals. Subject were female college students and staff who ate a standardized meal in a laboratory setting. The behaviors measured were meal duration, number of bites, sips and chews, and the number of times utensils were placed down between mouthfuls. Results did not support either assumption. Obese and non-obese subjects did not differ in eating styles. Instead, treated subjects differed from untreated subjects. Treated subjects ate longer and placed utensils down more frequently than did untreated subjects. Therefore the behavioral treatment program used in this study did appear to change eating behaviors, but these changes were not associated with success or failure in weight loss efforts.