The impact of coping strategies on weight control in the aftermath of dietary lapses in a high impulsivity group

Abstract

Individuals with high impulsivity tend to overeat on impulse. The objective of this study was to examine methods of weight control, focusing on coping with the aftermath of dietary lapses, among those who have high impulsivity. Eight hundred adults aged 20-59 years, who were registered with a research company completed a self-reported cross-sectional questionnaire. They were classified into low and high impulsivity groups using the median impulsivity score measured with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. We compared coping strategies in the aftermath of dietary lapses between the two groups. We also examined the correlation between coping methods and body mass index (BMI) using multiple regression analysis in the low and high impulsivity groups. The high impulsivity group used more coping strategies, such as self-monitoring, self-reflective thoughts, and positive thoughts. The main finding of this study was that compensation by healthy eating was negatively correlated with BMI in the high impulsivity group. Additionally, positive thoughts were positively correlated with BMI. The results suggest that compensation with healthy eating in the aftermath of dietary lapses is important to control weight in those with high impulsivity.