Restrained Eating and Risk of Gaining Weight and Body Fat in Middle-Aged Women: A 3-Year Prospective Study

Purpose. Examine the extent to which restrained eating (RE) and changes in RE influence the risk of weight and fat gain over 36 months in women. Design. Prospective cohort. Setting. Several communities. Subjects. Baseline and follow-up assessments were completed by 192 middle-aged women (ages 40.0 ± 3 years). Measures. Body weight was measured with an electronic scale, body fat (BF) was assessed using the Bod Pod, energy intake was evaluated using 7–day weighed food records, physical activity was measured objectively using accelerometers, and RE was indexed using the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Analysis. Relative risk (RR) was calculated using incidence data. Results. The risk of weight gain (> 1 kg) over the 36 months was 69% greater in women who did not increase in RE compared with their counterparts (RR = 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.12–2.52). The risk of substantial weight gain (≥3 kg) was 138% greater in women who did not increase in RE compared with women who did (RR = 2.38, 95% CI = 1.16–4.89), and the risk of gains in BF (≥ 1% point) was 49%) greater (RR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.02–2.17). Control of potential confounding factors, except changes in energy intake, had little influence on risk. Conclusion. Women who do not become more restrained in their eating over time are at much greater risk of gaining weight and BF compared with those who become more restrained.