Eating-related Variables Research Articles

Effects of Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy on Weight Loss, Eating Behaviors, and Weight Concern Eight Months Postsurgery.

Following vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), the role of eating behaviors in weight regain remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the effects of VSG on excess weight loss (EWL) and five eating-related variables (food addiction, disinhibition, susceptibility to hunger, dietary restraint, and weight concern) while exploring their associations before and eight months post-surgery. A sample of 76 participants who underwent VSG was recruited from a healthcare center in Quebec, Canada. Measurements included body mass index (BMI), the Eating Disorder Examination (weight concern), the Yale Food Addiction Scale (food addiction), and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (disinhibition, susceptibility to hunger, and dietary restraint). T-tests were conducted between pre-surgery (T0) and eight-month post-surgery (T8), and correlations were examined between T0 and T8, within T0, and within T8. The mean EWL was 63.43% ± 13.14 at T8. Comparisons between T0 and T8 showed a significant decrease in food addiction, disinhibition, and susceptibility to hunger (p = 0.001-0.005). No significant differences were observed for dietary restraint and weight concerns. BMI at T0 was negatively correlated with EWL at T8 (r = -0.45). Within T0, a negative correlation was observed between food addiction and dietary restraint (r = -0.42), which changed from negative to positive within T8 (r = 0.35). This study confirmed that VSG is effective for weight loss and associated with a reduction in maladaptive eating behaviors. Postsurgery, individuals with greater food addiction exhibited more dietary restraint, suggesting a need for restraint among those experiencing a strong drive toward food. However, weight concerns remained high even after significant weight loss, indicating that weight loss alone may not be sufficient for change. A postsurgery medical follow-up focusing on overall well-being and lifestyle adaptation would be a crucial complement.

Food addiction and its relationship with other eating behaviours among Spanish university students

BackgroundFood addiction (FA) is characterised by symptoms such as loss of control over food consumption, inability to reduce consumption despite the desire to do so, and continued consumption despite negative consequences. The modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (mYFAS 2.0) is a widely used instrument to assess FA.ObjectivesTo validate the Spanish mYFAS 2.0; to analyse the relationships between FA with other eating behaviours, sociodemographic variables, and Body Mass Index (BMI); and to test the eating-related variables that account for the variance in FA.MethodsThe sample consisted of 400 university students (Mage = 24.16, SDage = 6.12; 51% female), who completed the mYFAS 2.0 and measures of eating-related constructs.ResultsA confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the one-factor structure of the mYFAS 2.0. The scale showed good internal consistency (α = .78), and good convergent validity with the mYFAS. FA was related to eating styles, binge eating, and bulimia. No differences in FA were observed between males and females, and there was no association between FA and BMI. In addition, younger participants scored higher on FA than older participants. The eating-related variables explain 54.7% of the variance in FA.ConclusionsThe mYFAS 2.0 is a valid and reliable scale to assess FA in the Spanish population. The positive and significant relationship of variables related to eating (eating styles, binge eating and bulimia) with FA was demonstrated. These variables were indicated by those at high risk of FA.

Adaptation and Validation of the Well-Being Related to Food Questionnaire (Well-BFQ©) for the French-Speaking General Adult Population of Québec, Canada.

Efforts to develop effective strategies that improve dietary intake are needed; however, this improvement in diet quality must not be at the expense of well-being. The Well-Being related to Food Questionnaire (Well-BFQ©) is a tool that has been developed in France to comprehensively measure food well-being. Even though the same language is spoken in France and in Québec, cultural and linguistic differences are present, which supports the importance of adapting and validating this tool before its use in the Québec population. This study aimed to adapt and validate the Well-BFQ© for the French-speaking general adult population of Québec, Canada. The Well-BFQ© underwent a full linguistic adaptation process, including an expert panel adaptation step, a pretest among 30 French-speaking adult (18-65 years) Quebecers, and a final proofreading. The questionnaire was thereafter administered to 203 French-speaking adult Quebecers (49.3% females, MAGE = 34.9, SD = 13.5; 88.2% Caucasians; 54.2% with a university degree). The exploratory factor analysis showed a two-factor structure: (1) food well-being related to physical and psychological health (27 items) and (2) food well-being related to symbolic/pleasure of food (32 items). Internal consistency was adequate, with a Cronbach's α of 0.92 and 0.93, respectively, for the subscales, and 0.94 for the total scale. The total food well-being score, as well as the two subscale scores, were associated with psychological and eating-related variables in expected directions. Overall, the adapted version of the Well-BFQ© was found to be a valid instrument to measure food well-being in the French-speaking general adult population of Québec, Canada.

Associations between weight-based teasing and disordered eating behaviors among youth

Weight-based teasing (WBT) is commonly reported among youth and is associated with disinhibited and disordered eating. Specifically, youth who experience WBT may engage in disordered eating behaviors to cope with the resultant negative affect. Therefore, we examined associations between WBT and disordered eating behaviors among youth and assessed whether negative affect mediated these relationships. Two hundred one non-treatment seeking youth (8-17y) completed questionnaires assessing WBT, disinhibited eating, depression, and anxiety. Disordered eating and loss-of-control (LOC) eating were assessed via semi-structured interview. Analyses of covariance were conducted to examine relationships between WBT and eating-related variables, and bootstrapping mediation models were used to evaluate negative affect (a composite of depressive and anxiety symptoms) as a mediator of these associations. All models were adjusted for sex, race, age, and adiposity. Among 201 participants (13.1 ± 2.8y; 54.2% female; 30.3% Black; 32.8% with overweight/obesity), WBT was associated with emotional eating, eating in the absence of hunger, and disordered eating attitudes and behaviors (ps ≤ 0.02). These associations were all mediated by negative affect. WBT was also associated with a threefold greater likelihood of reporting a recent LOC eating episode (p = .049). Among boys and girls across weight strata, WBT was associated with multiple aspects of disordered eating and these relationships were mediated by negative affect. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the directionality of these associations and to identify subgroups of youth that may be particularly vulnerable to WBT and its sequelae.

Maternal Eating Behavior and Problematic Eating Behaviors of Children Undergoing Weight Loss Treatment: A Cluster Analysis.

Background: Research on the interplay between mothers' and children's eating behaviors is needed to better inform sensitive and tailored interventions for treatment-seeking children with overweight/obesity. The present study aimed to identify mothers' eating behavior phenotypes, investigating their associations with problematic eating behaviors of children undergoing weight loss treatment in two central hospitals. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study evaluating 136 mother-child dyads (Mothers: age 39.58 ± 5.40 years; Children: n = 75 female; age 10.13 ± 1.37 years). Mothers' eating behavior (restraint, emotional, and uncontrolled eating) and depression/anxiety, and children's problematic eating attitudes/behaviors were assessed. A cluster analysis (K-means) was performed using mothers' eating behavior dimensions. Multivariate Analysis of Covariance investigated differences between clusters on mothers' and children's sociodemographic, anthropometric, psychological, and eating-related variables. Results: Three clusters emerged: The Disordered Eating group (n = 39) of mothers with the highest scores on emotional eating and uncontrolled eating dimensions, the Restraint Eating group (n = 48), including mothers scoring high in cognitive restraint, and the Low Disordered Eating (n = 49) group where mothers scored low in all eating behavior dimensions. Children of mothers in the Disordered Eating cluster had significantly higher emotional overeating relative to children of mothers in the other two clusters. Conclusions: Distinctive eating behavior profiles of mothers, instead of the presence of single eating behaviors, seem to be associated with specific problematic eating behaviors of children undergoing weight loss treatment. Prospective studies are essential to determine whether these profiles can predict differential weight change trajectories in pediatric obesity treatment.

A network analysis of the causal attributions for obesity in children and adolescents and their parents

ABSTRACTIllness attributions inform how people understand illness and relate to psychological outcomes. Parental attributions may impact children’s adjustment to illness. This study investigated child, adolescent and parental causal attributions in paediatric obesity and illustrates the relationships between these attributions using network analysis. A cross-sectional design using the diagram network analytic method. Thirty children and 25 parents generated individual causal attribution maps. Network theory was used to analyse causal effects and results were visualised using network models. The results indicated large individual variation in the networks. Activity and eating-related variables featured strongly in child and parent networks. Children viewed their activity while parents regarded their child’s eating behaviours as the main drivers of obesity. The characterisation of some children along an internalising dimension was supported in both networks. Habitual cluster behaviours and difficulties in regulation were identified in the child network. Parents ascribed significance to the future impact of obesity on body image and mood. Challenges in parent management were also indicated. Obesity is a heterogeneous condition, requiring a tailored treatment approach. Therapeutic directions were identified in the areas of activity, food intake, sleep hygiene and parent management. Attributional processes represent a potential mechanism to tailor obesity treatment. Further research is needed to establish the relationship between attributions, treatment engagement and outcome.

Media, Technology Use, and Attitudes: Associations With Physical and Mental Well-Being in Youth With Implications for Evidence-Based Practice.

Previous research has shown that the use of technology and media, in their different available forms, may have detrimental effects on the physical and mental well-being of adolescents and young adults. The present study aimed to investigate the use of different types of technology and media, attitudes toward them, and how they relate to physical and mental well-being in Lebanese university students. A descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design was used. A sample of 244 undergraduates completed a self-report measuring media and technology use and attitudes, eating-related variables (e.g., healthy eating, body image dissatisfaction [BID], and eating disorders [EDs] risk), trait emotional intelligence (TEI), and psychopathology indicators (stress, anxiety, and depression). The use of mobile phone multimedia (music, pictures, and videos) correlated with unhealthy eating and stress. Social media use was associated with BID, EDs risk, and the self-control construct of TEI. Anxiety of separation from technological devices and dependence on them was associated with increased BID, EDs risk, depression, and anxiety. Practical implications are discussed in terms of setting limits and boundaries on technology use during childhood and adolescence, and encouraging healthy eating and physical activity at home and on college campuses. Moreover, social media could be used as a platform for intervention and prevention programs to decrease BID, EDs, depression, and anxiety.

Is decision-making ability related to food choice and facets of eating behaviour in adolescents?

PurposeTo test the prediction that poor decision-making would predict poor eating-related behaviours, which in turn would relate to elevated body mass index (BMI) percentile. MethodsAssociations among decision-making ability, eating behaviours, and BMI percentile were examined in a sample of 311 healthy male and female adolescents, aged 14–18 years. Structural equation modelling was used to test the proposed relationships. ResultsThe predicted model was a good fit to the data and all paths between latent and indicator variables were significant. Impulsive responding significantly predicted poor food choice and overeating. No significant relationships emerged between eating-related variables and BMI percentile. ConclusionsFindings from this study extend the existing research in adults and offer a more comprehensive understanding of factors that may contribute to eating behaviours and weight status in teenagers.

Nighttime eating and breast cancer among Chinese women in Hong Kong

BackgroundA novel line of research suggests that eating at nighttime may have several metabolic consequences that are highly relevant to breast cancer. We investigated the association between nighttime eating habits after 10 p.m. and breast cancer in Hong Kong women.MethodsA hospital-based case-control study was conducted during 2012–2015. A total of 922 patients with incident breast cancer (cases) and 913 hospital controls were recruited and interviewed using a standard questionnaire including information on eating behavior during both daytime and nighttime. We collected the timing, duration, types and frequencies of food intake of eating at nighttime. Odds ratios (ORs) for the risk of breast cancer in relation to nighttime eating-related variables were calculated by unconditional multivariable logistic regression.ResultsEating at night after 10 pm was significantly associated with breast cancer with an adjusted OR of 1.50 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–2.12, P = 0.02), and the associations were stronger in women who had the longest duration of nighttime eating (≥20 years) (adjusted OR = 2.28 (95% CI 1.13–4.61, P = 0.02) and who ate late (midnight to 2 a.m.) (adjusted OR = 2.73, 95% CI 1.01–6.99, P = 0.04). Interestingly, nighttime eating was only associated with breast cancer among women who consumed staple foods (OR = 2.16, 95% CI 1.42–3.29, P < 0.001) but not those who ate vegetables or fruits as nighttime meals. The significant association between nighttime eating and breast cancer was observed among women with body mass index (BMI) <25 (OR = 2.29, 95% CI 1.48–3.52, P < 0.001) but not among women with BMI ≥25.ConclusionsResults from this study suggest a possible association between nighttime eating behavior and breast cancer. These findings need to be confirmed by independent large studies.

Indirect effects of trait impulsivity on body mass

Trait impulsivity has been suggested as a risk factor for weight gain. However, it is implausible that a construct that does not cover energy intake or expenditure affects fat mass directly. Instead, it is likely that eating-related variables mediate the effect of impulsivity on body mass. In the current study, a serial mediation model tested two eating-related variables (trait food craving and perceived self-regulatory success in weight regulation) as mediators of the relationship between trait impulsivity and body mass. Participants (n=432, 88% female, 79% students) completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale – short form, the Food Cravings Questionnaire-Trait-reduced, and the Perceived Self-Regulatory Success in Dieting Scale (PSRS), in addition to providing sociodemographic and anthropometric data. Trait impulsivity did not correlate with body mass index (BMI), but was indirectly related to BMI via food cravings and PSRS scores. Specifically, higher impulsivity predicted more frequent food cravings, which in turn predicted lower perceived self-regulatory success in eating and weight regulation, which in turn predicted higher BMI. Findings suggest possible mechanisms that mediate the association between impulsivity and BMI. Importantly, they show that impulsivity can indirectly affect BMI via eating-related variables, even in the absence of a total effect. Longitudinal studies are needed that support these assumed causal directions.

Daily exposure to either a high- or low-energy-dense snack food reduces its reinforcing value in adolescents.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine the impact of daily exposure to a low-energy-dense (LED) or a high-energy-dense (HED) snack food on its reinforcing value (RRV) in adolescents with healthy weight, overweight, or obesity.MethodsWe used a parallel-group, randomized trial to assess RRV of LED or HED snack food at baseline and again after exposure to that snack food daily for two weeks in 77 adolescents, aged 13 – 17 years. Information on eating-related subject characteristics was also collected at baseline.ResultsAfter two weeks of daily exposure, the RRV of the snack foods was significantly reduced in all participants, regardless of energy density or participant weight status. Among individuals who were high in dietary restraint only, those randomized to LED food found their snack food less reinforcing at baseline than those who were randomized to HED food. Baseline eating-related variables also differed as a function of weight status.ConclusionsDaily exposure to snack food in adolescents reduces the RRV of that food regardless of snack food energy density or weight status of the adolescent. This finding differs from adults, suggesting that increases in RRV of HED food after repeated exposure may develop after adolescence.

Impulsivity, perceived self-regulatory success in dieting, and body mass in children and adolescents: A moderated mediation model

Impulsivity has been suggested to contribute to overeating and obesity. However, findings are inconsistent and it appears that only specific facets of impulsivity are related to eating-related variables and to body mass. In the current study, relationships between self-reported impulsivity, perceived self-regulatory success in dieting, and objectively measured body mass were examined in N = 122 children and adolescents. Scores on attentional and motor impulsivity interactively predicted perceived self-regulatory success in dieting, but not body mass: Higher attentional impulsivity was associated with lower perceived self-regulatory success at high levels of motor impulsivity, but not at low levels of motor impulsivity. A moderated mediation model revealed an indirect effect of attentional and motor impulsivity on body mass, which was mediated by perceived self-regulatory success in dieting. Thus, results show that only specific facets of impulsivity are relevant in eating- and weight-regulation and interact with each other in the prediction of these variables. These facets of impulsivity, however, are not directly related to higher body mass, but indirectly via lower success in eating-related self-regulation in children and adolescents.

Validation of a French-Canadian adaptation of the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 for the adult population

Intuitive eating is an adaptive eating style based on the reliance on physiological cues to determine when, what, and how much to eat. The Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2) is a validated four-subscale tool measuring the degree of adherence to intuitive eating principles. The present series of studies aimed at evaluating the psychometric properties of a French-Canadian adaptation of the IES-2 for the adult population. The factor structure, the reliability (internal consistency and test-retest), the construct validity, and the discriminant validity were evaluated in 334 women and 75 men from the Province of Québec, Canada, across two studies. A confirmatory factor analysis upheld that the four-factor structure of the original IES-2 was adequate for the present sample of French-Canadians. The scale demonstrated adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Construct validity evidence was obtained with the significant associations between intuitive eating and psychological and eating-related variables. Intuitive eating was negatively associated with eating disorder symptomatology and with food- and weight-preoccupation, and positively associated with body-esteem and well-being. The French-Canadian IES-2 was also able to discriminate between genders and body mass index categories. The properties of this new version of the IES-2 are demonstrative of a reliable and valid tool to assess intuitive eating in the French-Canadian adult population of the Province of Québec.

Investigating sex differences in psychological predictors of snack intake among a large representative sample.

It is often assumed that there are substantial sex differences in eating behaviour (e.g. women are more likely to be dieters or emotional eaters than men). The present study investigates this assumption in a large representative community sample while incorporating a comprehensive set of psychological eating-related variables. A community sample was employed to: (i) determine sex differences in (un)healthy snack consumption and psychological eating-related variables (e.g. emotional eating, intention to eat healthily); (ii) examine whether sex predicts energy intake from (un)healthy snacks over and above psychological variables; and (iii) investigate the relationship between psychological variables and snack intake for men and women separately. Snack consumption was assessed with a 7d snack diary; the psychological eating-related variables with questionnaires. Participants were members of an Internet survey panel that is based on a true probability sample of households in the Netherlands. Men and women (n 1292; 45 % male), with a mean age of 51·23 (sd 16·78) years and a mean BMI of 25·62 (sd 4·75) kg/m2. Results revealed that women consumed more healthy and less unhealthy snacks than men and they scored higher than men on emotional and restrained eating. Women also more often reported appearance and health-related concerns about their eating behaviour, but men and women did not differ with regard to external eating or their intentions to eat more healthily. The relationships between psychological eating-related variables and snack intake were similar for men and women, indicating that snack intake is predicted by the same variables for men and women. It is concluded that some small sex differences in psychological eating-related variables exist, but based on the present data there is no need for interventions aimed at promoting healthy eating to target different predictors according to sex.

Substance Misuse Following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

Post-bariatric surgery patients are overrepresented in substance abuse treatment, particularly those who have had the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) procedure. The severity of the substance use disorder (SUD; i.e., warranting inpatient treatment) and related consequences necessitate a better understanding of the variables associated with post-RYGB SUDs. This investigation assessed factors associated with post-RYGB substance misuse. Post-RYGB patients (N = 141; at least 24 months postsurgery) completed an online survey assessing variables hypothesized to contribute to post-RYGB SUDs. Fourteen percent of participants met criteria for postoperative substance misuse. Those with a lower percent total weight loss (%TWL) were more likely to endorse substance misuse. Family history of substance misuse was strongly associated with postoperative substance misuse. Eating-related variables including presurgical food addiction and postsurgical nocturnal eating, subjective hunger, and environmental responsiveness to food cues were also associated with a probable postoperative SUD. These findings have clinical utility in that family history of substance misuse can be easily assessed, and at-risk patients can be advised accordingly. In addition, those who endorse post-RYGB substance misuse appear to have stronger cognitive and behavioral responses to food, providing some support for the theory of behavioral substitution (or “addiction transfer”).

Does the opinion of the therapeutic team match with psychometric measures during the course of eating disorders?

Is there a group of psychometric variables, which correlates with the criteria of an interdisciplinary team about the course of ED? The aim of this study was to analyse the correlation between the clinic criteria of an interdisciplinary team with respect to the course of eating disorders (ED) and different psychometric criteria. The course was analysed in a final sample of 30 ED outpatients during their six first months of treatment. A scale of clinical criteria of the course of ED (therapeutic team's opinion) and different questionnaires on psychological, psychopathological and eating-related variables were used. The statistical analysis comprised of a discriminant analysis in order to find the variables with a discriminant function to distinguish between a fair-bad course and a good course. Perceived stress, self-esteem, the variables of the SCL-90-R, depression, thought-shape fusion, anxiety, food craving and the score on body shape questionnaire were found to have discriminant function. Comparing the therapeutic team's criteria and the results of the questionnaires a 10% of patients were misclassified. The results highlight the necessary and permanent checking of the relationship among the clinical criteria regarding the course of ED (members' team opinion) and different psychological, psychopathological and eating-related variables.

Moderation of Participant Characteristics in the Relationships of Changes in Self-Regulation for Exercise with Self-Regulation for Controlled Eating, and Self-Efficacy for Exercise with Self-Efficacy for Controlled Eating

Research on the relationships of exercise with psychosocial predictors of controlled eating and weight loss may now be capable of informing the development of weight-management treatments. Thus, analysis of moderators of such relationships by personal characteristics is important. Moderation of the expected significant relationships of changes in self-regulation for exercise with self-regulation for controlled eating, and self-efficacy for exercise with self-efficacy for controlled eating was assessed by sex, age, and ethnicity. No significant moderation of the relationships was identified; however, it was suggested that extensions of this research also assess contextual aspects, administration method, and other demographic variables as possible moderators. With continued research, practical treatments based on relationships between exercise- and eating-related variables ultimately may prove to be efficacious, with positive effects that may generalize across participant types and settings.

Disgust sensitivity and eating behaviour

Background The relation between emotions and food disorders has been studied in depth, although disgust sensitivity has been frequently avoided even though it has been suggested that it could play some role in these disorders. Objective To analyse the relation between eating-related variables and other psychopathological variables with disgust sensitivity. Design Descriptive, cross comparison of two samples (clinical and control). Subjects and setting 57 patients with eating disorders and 40 university students were studied. The presence of eating disorders in the latter was a reason for being excluded. Measurements Disgust sensitivity scale, visual analogue scales for dyspepsia, a state-trait anxiety inventory, a depression inventory, an eating disorder inventory, and a thought-shape fusion questionnaire. Statistical analysis The differences between groups were analysed using a variance analysis. Associations among variables were studied using Pearson's correlation coefficient and a multiple regression analysis was carried out to identify predictors (psychopathological, related with disgust sensitivity) of variables related with the eating behaviour. Results There were no significant differences between the groups neither in the total disgust sensitivity marking nor in its sub-scales. The drive to thinness was in correlation with core disgust (r = 0.288; p < 0.01), animal reminder (r = 0.275; p < 0.05), contamination (r = 0.304; p < 0.01) and disgust sensitivity (r = 0.354; p < 0.01), and the body dissatisfaction correlated with core disgust (r = 0.25; p < 0.05), contamination (r = 0.371; p < 0.01) and disgust sensitivity (r = 0.323; p < 0.01). Conclusions In spite of the absence of significant differences between groups, where it comes to disgust sensitivity, the relation between this sensitivity and other sensitivities specifically related with the eating behaviour, which are important in eating disorders, should be highlighted.

Factors Associated With Low Body Mass Index and Weight Loss in Nursing Home Residents

Undernutrition in nursing home residents is a significant and possibly modifiable public health problem. We evaluated the hypothesis that some potentially modifiable factors are associated with resident undernutrition. This study is a cross-sectional, secondary data analysis of 6,832 community nursing home residents sampled from 202 nursing homes in 7 states. Data were from the Minimum Data Set (MDS), and HCFA-mandated resident assessment instrument used in U.S. community nursing homes. Two dependent variables represented undernutrition: (a) low body mass index (BMI), defined as the lowest quartile BMI of the sample (19.42 kg/m2 and below); and (b) weight loss, an MDS measure defined as 5% decrease in weight in 30 days, or a 10% decrease in 180 days (9.9% of the sample). Independent variables included resident demographics, eating-related variables, variables measuring functional, cognitive, and affective statuses, and medical conditions. Separate logistic regression models were estimated for low BMI and weight loss to test multivariate associations. Poor oral intake, eating dependency, decubiti, and chewing problems increase the likelihood of both low BMI and weight loss. Female gender, age 85 or older, bedfast, and hip fracture increase the odds of low BMI only; depressed behaviors and two or more chronic diseases increase the odds of weight loss only. Undernutrition in nursing home residents is a multifactorial syndrome. Improved oral feeding methods and treatment of depression are potentially important ways to counteract undernutrition in nursing home residents by targeting reversible features.

The female weight-control smoker: A profile

Hypothesizing the existence of a subgroup of female smokers for whom nicotine masks, and abstinence unmasks, a tendency toward hyperphagia and perhaps even subthreshold disordered eating, we compared female "weight-control smokers" (WC; n = 46) and "non-weight-control smokers" (NWC; n = 52) on smoking- and eating-related variables. We also examined the relationship between weight-control smoking and withdrawal symptomatology during 48-hours of nicotine abstinence (n = 23). Although WC were not more depressed, anxious, or nicotine-dependent than NWC, they were significantly more likely to report weight gain and increased hunger during abstinence; they also scored higher on Cognitive Restraint and Disinhibition (Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire). The expected correlation of cotinine with weight emerged for NWC but not for WC. Weight-control smoking correlated with increased eating during abstinence. Our findings suggest that WC use dietary restraint as well as smoking to manage weight, and that abstinence may precipitate episodes of disinhibited or binge eating. If WC overinclude women vulnerable to excess or unpredictable eating and consequently to substantial weight gain that can be managed by nicotine, highly focused treatment strategies may be helpful.