Predictive Significance of Changes in Dietary Restraint in Obese Patients with Binge Eating Disorder During Treatment

Objective: To examine whether changes in different aspects of dietary restraint in obese patients with binge eating disorder (BED) participating in a treatment study predict outcomes. Method: Fifty obese patients with BED in a randomized controlled study of orlistat administered with cognitive-behavioral therapy, guided-self-help (CBTgsh) completed dietary restraint measures at baseline, during- and post-treatment, and three-month follow-up. Results: Change in the restraint scale of the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire did not predict binge abstinence or 5% weight loss. Increased flexible restraint subscale of the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) during treatment significantly predicted binge abstinence at post-treatment and three-month follow-up and 5% weight loss at post-treatment. Change in the rigid restraint subscale of the TFEQ predicted binge abstinence at post-treatment. Discussion: Our findings clarify further pathologic and adaptive aspects of restraint and suggest the importance of enhancing flexible restraint in order to improve both binge eating and weight loss outcomes. (C) 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.