Facets of Dietary Restraint Associated With Disordered Eating Behaviors Among Children and Adolescents With Higher Weight

ABSTRACT Objective Self‐directed dietary restraint (i.e., outside of evidence‐based weight management programs) has been associated with disordered eating in youth. This study examined associations between maladaptive facets of dietary restraint and disordered eating among youth with higher weight. Methods Participants ( N = 529; mean age = 10.8 ± 2.08; BMI ≥ 85th percentile) self‐reported dietary restraint (restraint over eating, avoidance of eating, food avoidance, desire for an empty stomach, and dietary rules) and disordered eating behaviors (i.e., objective and subjective binge eating, driven exercise, and vomiting) over the past 3 months. Network analysis estimated partial correlations between restraint factors and disordered eating behaviors. Results The restraint item most strongly associated with disordered eating behaviors was “dietary rules,” which was associated with “driven exercise” and “subjective binge eating.” The disordered eating behavior most strongly connected to restraint was “subjective binge eating,” which was positively associated with “dietary rules,” “desire for an empty stomach,” and “food avoidance.” Conclusions Trying to follow definite dietary rules may be associated with disordered eating behaviors in youth with higher weight. Prospective research is needed to examine causality among youth undergoing weight management interventions, which could inform screening and monitoring of restraint prior to and during weight management.