Undieting: A program to help people stop dieting

Abstract

We report on the development and preliminary evaluation of a 10-week group program intended to raise women's consciousness about the costs and side effects of dieting and to provide alternatives to strenuous weight loss efforts. Eighteen female participants were assessed on self-esteem, depression, restraint, and eating pathology measures before the sessions began, at the end of the 70-week program, and (for two of the three groups) 6 months after the sessions ended. Subjects also filled out state self-esteem scales each week. By the end of the program participants had significantly higher self-esteem and lower depression, eating pathology, and restraint. Subjects also reported life-style changes accompanying these psychological improvements. We consider the implications for treating dieting and encouraging "natural eating."

Psychosocial outcomes of a non-dieting based positive body image community program for overweight adults: a pilot study

“…There was a significant increase in positive attitudes towards food and eating, and a decrease in body shape preoccupation, dissatisfaction and shape concern. This finding is consistent with previous research [ 5 , 6 , 38 , 65 - 67 ]. For example, Tanco and colleagues found that a non-dieting intervention resulted in improvements in eating related psychopathology compared to a dieting intervention despite similar weight loss.…”

Psychosocial outcomes of a non-dieting based positive body image community program for overweight adults: a pilot study

“…There was a significant increase in positive attitudes towards food and eating, and a decrease in body shape preoccupation, dissatisfaction and shape concern. This finding is consistent with previous research [ 5 , 6 , 38 , 65 - 67 ]. For example, Tanco and colleagues found that a non-dieting intervention resulted in improvements in eating related psychopathology compared to a dieting intervention despite similar weight loss.…”

Intuitive eating in young adults. Who is doing it, and how is it related to disordered eating behaviors?

“…Findings from the current study regarding the association between trusting one’s body to tell one how much to eat and disordered eating behaviors are in line with findings of previous studies of young women attending college or weight loss programs (Bacon et al, 2005; Polivy & Herman, 1992; Smith & Hawks, 2006; Tylka, 2006; Tylka & Wilcox, 2006). Although further research is needed, findings from the current study, in conjunction with previous studies, suggest the importance of helping young people develop a trust in their body’s ability to tell them how much to eat and to stop eating when they are full.…”

Effects of false weight feedback on mood, self-evaluation, and food intake in restrained and unrestrained eaters.

“…However, unlike most of the other self-report measures obtained from restrained eaters, weight and shape concerns were not strongest in those who were weighed heavy. This is consistent with both Ogden and Evans's (1996) study and with Polivy and Herman's (1992) study, which found no changes in body dissatisfaction after a 10-week group program intended to raise women's consciousness about the costs and side-effects of dieting. These results suggest that body dissatisfaction is a stable construct that is not susceptible to acute manipulations.…”

Psychosocial outcomes of a non-dieting based positive body image community program for overweight adults: a pilot study

“…There was a significant increase in positive attitudes towards food and eating, and a decrease in body shape preoccupation, dissatisfaction and shape concern. This finding is consistent with previous research [ 5 , 6 , 38 , 65 - 67 ]. For example, Tanco and colleagues found that a non-dieting intervention resulted in improvements in eating related psychopathology compared to a dieting intervention despite similar weight loss.…”

Intuitive eating in young adults. Who is doing it, and how is it related to disordered eating behaviors?

“…Findings from the current study regarding the association between trusting one’s body to tell one how much to eat and disordered eating behaviors are in line with findings of previous studies of young women attending college or weight loss programs (Bacon et al, 2005; Polivy & Herman, 1992; Smith & Hawks, 2006; Tylka, 2006; Tylka & Wilcox, 2006). Although further research is needed, findings from the current study, in conjunction with previous studies, suggest the importance of helping young people develop a trust in their body’s ability to tell them how much to eat and to stop eating when they are full.…”

Effects of false weight feedback on mood, self-evaluation, and food intake in restrained and unrestrained eaters.

“…However, unlike most of the other self-report measures obtained from restrained eaters, weight and shape concerns were not strongest in those who were weighed heavy. This is consistent with both Ogden and Evans's (1996) study and with Polivy and Herman's (1992) study, which found no changes in body dissatisfaction after a 10-week group program intended to raise women's consciousness about the costs and side-effects of dieting. These results suggest that body dissatisfaction is a stable construct that is not susceptible to acute manipulations.…”

Psychosocial outcomes of a non-dieting based positive body image community program for overweight adults: a pilot study

“…There was a significant increase in positive attitudes towards food and eating, and a decrease in body shape preoccupation, dissatisfaction and shape concern. This finding is consistent with previous research [ 5 , 6 , 38 , 65 - 67 ]. For example, Tanco and colleagues found that a non-dieting intervention resulted in improvements in eating related psychopathology compared to a dieting intervention despite similar weight loss.…”

Intuitive eating in young adults. Who is doing it, and how is it related to disordered eating behaviors?

“…Findings from the current study regarding the association between trusting one’s body to tell one how much to eat and disordered eating behaviors are in line with findings of previous studies of young women attending college or weight loss programs (Bacon et al, 2005; Polivy & Herman, 1992; Smith & Hawks, 2006; Tylka, 2006; Tylka & Wilcox, 2006). Although further research is needed, findings from the current study, in conjunction with previous studies, suggest the importance of helping young people develop a trust in their body’s ability to tell them how much to eat and to stop eating when they are full.…”

Effects of false weight feedback on mood, self-evaluation, and food intake in restrained and unrestrained eaters.

“…However, unlike most of the other self-report measures obtained from restrained eaters, weight and shape concerns were not strongest in those who were weighed heavy. This is consistent with both Ogden and Evans's (1996) study and with Polivy and Herman's (1992) study, which found no changes in body dissatisfaction after a 10-week group program intended to raise women's consciousness about the costs and side-effects of dieting. These results suggest that body dissatisfaction is a stable construct that is not susceptible to acute manipulations.…”