Sonia Boivin

The aim of the study is to verify the applicability of the dual-pathway model among weight-preoccupied overweight women and to document the restraint pathway, the negative affect pathway, and the possibility of a direct pathway from body dissatisfaction to overeating. Structural equations were performed to test the model on baseline data of 153 weight-preoccupied overweight women recruited to participate in a randomized trial. Findings suggest that the model obtains satisfactory fit. Although the restraint pathway is partially supported, the negative affect pathway is confirmed. A third pathway linking directly body dissatisfaction to overeating is also evidenced. The dual-pathway model of overeating seems to be representative of the reality of weight-preoccupied overweight women, which could be pointed as a population in need of clinical attention, particularly considering the dramatically increasing rates of obesity.

Objective:The aim of the study is to verifythe applicability of the dual-pathwaymodel among weight-preoccupied overweight women and to document the restraint pathway, the negative affect pathway, and the possibility of a direct pathway from body dissatisfaction to overeating.The aim of the study is to verifythe applicability of the dual-pathwaymodel among weight-preoccupied overweight women and to document the restraint pathway, the negative affect pathway, and the possibility of a direct pathway from body dissatisfaction to overeating.Method:Structural equations were performed to test the model on baseline data of 153 weight-preoccupied overweight women recruited to participate in a randomized trial.Structural equations were performed to test the model on baseline data of 153 weight-preoccupied overweight women recruited to participate in a randomized trial.Results:Findings suggest that the model obtains satisfactory fit. Although the restraint pathway is partially supported, the negative affect pathway is confirmed. A third pathway linking directly body dissatisfaction to overeating is also evidenced.Findings suggest that the model obtains satisfactory fit. Although the restraint pathway is partially supported, the negative affect pathway is confirmed. A third pathway linking directly body dissatisfaction to overeating is also evidenced.Discussion:The dual-pathway model of overeating seems to be representative of the reality of weight-preoccupied overweight women, which could be pointed as a population in need of clinical attention, particularly considering the dramatically increasing rates of obesity. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2009The dual-pathway model of overeating seems to be representative of the reality of weight-preoccupied overweight women, which could be pointed as a population in need of clinical attention, particularly considering the dramatically increasing rates of obesity. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2009

Objective: To assess the effects of a “Health-At-Every-Size” (HAES) intervention on eating behaviors and appetite ratings in 144 premenopausal overweight women.Research Methods and Procedures: Women were randomly assigned to one of the 3 groups: HAES group, social support (SS) group, and control group (N = 48 in each group). Interventions were conducted over a 4-month period, and measurements were taken before and after this period. Eating behaviors (cognitive dietary restraint, disinhibition, and susceptibility to hunger) were evaluated by the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire. Appetite ratings (desire to eat, hunger, fullness, and prospective food consumption) were assessed by visual analogue scales before and after a standardized breakfast.Results: More important decreases in susceptibility to hunger and external hunger were observed in the HAES group when compared with the SS group (p = 0.05, for susceptibility to hunger) and the control group (p = 0.02 and p = 0.005, for susceptibility to hunger and external hunger, respectively). In addition, women from the HAES group had more important decreases in postprandial area under the curve for desire to eat (p = 0.02) and hunger (p = 0.04) when compared with the control group. The change in the desire to eat noted in the HAES group was also different from the one observed in SS group (p = 0.02). Women from the HAES group experienced significant weight loss at 4 months (−1.6 ± 2.5 kg, p < 0.0001), which did not differ significantly from the SS and control groups (p = 0.09). An increase in flexible restraint was significantly related to a greater weight loss in both HAES and SS groups (r = −0.39, p < 0.01; and r = −0.37, p < 0.05, respectively). A decrease in habitual susceptibility to disinhibition was also associated with a greater weight loss in HAES and control groups (r = 0.31, p < 0.05; and r = 0.44, p < 0.05, respectively).Discussion: These results suggest that a HAES intervention could have significant effects on eating behaviors and appetite ratings in premenopausal overweight women, when compared with an SS intervention or a control group.