The dieting dilemma in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: does dietary restraint predict weight gain 4 years after diagnosis?

• Published in: Health psychology Vol. 26; no. 1; p. 105
• Main Authors: van Strien, Tatjana, van de Laar, Floris A, van Leeuwe, Jan F J, Lucassen, Peter L B J, van den Hoogen, Henk J M, Rutten, Guy E H M, van Weel, Chris
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.01.2007
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Body Mass Index; Cohort Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - diet therapy; Diet, Diabetic - psychology; Diet, Reducing - psychology; Energy Intake; Feeding Behavior - psychology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Internal-External Control; Male; Middle Aged; Netherlands; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Weight Gain
• ISSN: 0278-6133
• DOI: 10.1037/0278-6133.26.1.105

To examine whether dieting--restriction of food intake for the purpose of weight control--suppresses or promotes excessive food intake and weight gain. A 4-year follow-up study of a dietary intervention in a sample of 97 patients with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes. Weight gain, change in body mass index (measured weight in kilograms divided by measured height squared), and intake of energy, as measured with a food frequency questionnaire, were assessed in relation to dietary restraint and tendency to overeat (emotionally or externally induced overeating), as assessed with the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire. Tendency to overeat at diagnosis and not dietary restraint was associated with weight gain and intake of energy 4 years after diagnosis. These findings suggest that the success of a dietary intervention can be predicted by a subject's tendency toward overeating. The possibility of matched treatment of obesity is discussed on the basis of the distinction between patients with a low versus a high tendency to overeat.