Journal article
Chronic Inhibition, Self-Control and Eating Behavior: Test of a 'Resource Depletion' Model
PloS one, Vol.8(10), e76888
2013
PMCID: PMC3798321
PMID: 24146942
Abstract
The current research tested the hypothesis that individuals engaged in long-term efforts to limit food intake (e. g., individuals with high eating restraint) would have reduced capacity to regulate eating when self-control resources are limited. In the current research, body mass index (BMI) was used as a proxy for eating restraint based on the assumption that individuals with high BMI would have elevated levels of chronic eating restraint. A preliminary study (Study 1) aimed to provide evidence for the assumed relationship between eating restraint and BMI. Participants (N = 72) categorized into high or normal-range BMI groups completed the eating restraint scale. Consistent with the hypothesis, results revealed significantly higher scores on the weight fluctuation and concern for dieting subscales of the restraint scale among participants in the high BMI group compared to the normal-range BMI group. The main study (Study 2) aimed to test the hypothesized interactive effect of BMI and diminished self-control resources on eating behavior. Participants (N = 83) classified as having high or normal-range BMI were randomly allocated to receive a challenging counting task that depleted self-control resources (ego-depletion condition) or a non-depleting control task (no depletion condition). Participants then engaged in a second task in which required tasting and rating tempting cookies and candies. Amount of food consumed during the taste-and-rate task constituted the behavioral dependent measure. Regression analyses revealed a significant interaction effect of these variables on amount of food eaten in the taste-and-rate task. Individuals with high BMI had reduced capacity to regulate eating under conditions of self-control resource depletion as predicted. The interactive effects of BMI and self-control resource depletion on eating behavior were independent of trait self-control. Results extend knowledge of the role of self-control in regulating eating behavior and provide support for a limited-resource model of self-control.
Details
- Title
- Chronic Inhibition, Self-Control and Eating Behavior: Test of a 'Resource Depletion' Model
- Authors/Creators
- Martin S. Hagger - Curtin UniversityGiulia Panetta - University of NottinghamChung-Ming Leung - University of NottinghamGing Ging Wong - Curtin UniversityJohn C. K. Wang - Natl Inst Educ, Singapore, SingaporeDerwin K. C. Chan - Curtin UniversityDavid A. Keatley - Curtin UniversityNikos L. D. Chatzisarantis - Curtin University
- Publication Details
- PloS one, Vol.8(10), e76888
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science
- Number of pages
- 8
- Identifiers
- 991005592760707891
- Copyright
- © 2013 Hagger et al.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
Metrics
2 File views/ downloads
15 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Citation topics
- 6 Social Sciences
- 6.73 Social Psychology
- 6.73.130 Cognitive Biases
- Web Of Science research areas
- Psychology, Social
- ESI research areas
- Psychiatry/Psychology