Restraint Scores Research Articles

Restraint and age at onset of obesity

Dietary restraint in 30 obese females was examined in relation to age at onset of obesity. Juvenile-onset obese individuals were found to experience significantly more restraint in their eating behavior than adult-onset obese individuals, based on responses to Herman's revised Restraint Questionnaire. Restraint score was significantly correlated with both age at onset and duration of obesity, but not with weight, percent overweight, or present age. Possible biological and psychosocial contributors to the age at onset effect are discussed, as are implications of restraint differences for treatment.