Nondieting versus dieting treatment for overweight binge-eating women

• Published in: Journal of consulting and clinical psychology Vol. 66; no. 2; p. 363
• Main Authors: Goodrick, G K, Poston, 2nd, W S, Kimball, K T, Reeves, R S, Foreyt, J P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.04.1998
• Subjects: Behavior Therapy; Body Mass Index; Combined Modality Therapy; Diet, Reducing - psychology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Hyperphagia - diet therapy; Hyperphagia - psychology; Obesity - diet therapy; Obesity - psychology; Outcome and Process Assessment (Health Care); Psychotherapy, Group
• ISSN: 0022-006X
• DOI: 10.1037/0022-006X.66.2.363

This study evaluated the effectiveness of nondieting versus dieting treatments for overweight, binge-eating women. Participants (N = 219) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: diet treatment (DT), nondiet treatment (NDT), or wait-list control (WLC). DT received a balanced-deficit diet reinforced with behavioral strategies. NDT received therapy designed to help participants break out of their dieting cycles. Treatment in both conditions was administered in weekly groups for 6 months, followed by 26 biweekly maintenance meetings, for a total of 18 months of contact. At 6 months posttreatment, DT lost 0.6 kg while NDT gained 1.3 kg. Both treatment groups reduced their Binge Eating Scale scores significantly more than WLC. At 18-month follow-up, both treatment groups experienced weight gain but maintained similar reductions in binge eating. Results indicate that neither intervention was successful in producing short- or long-term weight loss. Therapist biases, which may have affected treatment integrity, and other methodological issues are discussed in relation to the small weight losses achieved.