This is a study of obese patients who tried to decrease and regulate their diets. Several interviews were performed with each of nine patients. In particular we studied the conditions leading to volitional breakdowns and the type of reasoning preceding such breakdowns. It was found in the majority of cases that breakdowns occured under mood pressure due to strong emotional stress and that they were preceded dy distorted reasoning, all in accordance with the theory suggested and with earlier results from studies of patients of an antismoking clinic. Patients were also interviewed about their techniques to decrease weight. Important among the techniques were thinking of and setting up motives and pursuing alternative activities. There was a strong correlation between success and the number of techniques mentioned. It is suggested that action may be regulated by investing energy in resistance to destructive impulses and in alternative courses of action. © 1979.
