Restraint, Hunger, and Disinhibition Following Treatment for Binge-Eating Disorder

Objective: To examine changes in total, flexible and rigid restraint, hunger, and disinhibition in obese individuals with Binge-Eating Disorder (BED), and assess whether these variables are associated with binge abstinence at post-treatment and during two-year follow-up. Method: A total of 116 obese individuals with BED were randomized to a 20-week treatment trial plus two-year follow-up. Using the Eating Inventory (EI), we assessed these factors at pretreatment, post-treatment, and follow-up time-points and examined their relationship to binge abstinence at post-treatment, 12- and 24-month follow-up. Results: Low disinhibition and high-total restraint are associated with post-treatment binge abstinence. There are no significant relationships between post-treatment El variables and binge abstinence at 12- and 24-month follow-up. Discussion: Reducing disinhibition as well as increasing El dietary restraint during BED treatment may be important for short-term success. (C) 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.