Restraint Scale, its sub-scales concern for dieting and weight fluctuation

Abstract

The Herman and Polivy Restraint Scale (RS) contains items which assess weight fluctuation (WF) and subjective concern for dieting (CD). A number of studies have determined relationships with the RS-sub-scales WF and CD, but these subscales are not factorially simple, and there is no agreement on their predictive power for weight suppression and overeating. In the present study RS sub-scales were constructed which are factorially unidimensional and their constructive and predictive validity was assessed. Two items were deleted from the original sub-scales, one item on splurging (from CD), and one item on weight history (from WF). RS-CD measures restrained eating, but RS-WF is not covered by other measures for eating behaviour or BMI. RS-WF had the greatest predictive power for ice cream consumption, but may have suppressed the preload × restraint interaction for the total RS. Use of the total RS should be discouraged.