Linear eaters turned decelerated: reduction of a risk for disordered eating?

It has been suggested that restrained eating is a cognitive strategy that an individual uses for control of food intake. If losing control, the restrained eater enters a state of disinhibition and is therefore thought to be at risk for developing eating disorders and obesity. Restrained eaters eat at a constant rate and can therefore also be referred to as linear eaters. Here, we have tested the hypothesis that restrained eating is a state that can be modified by teaching linear eaters to eat at a decelerated rate. Seventeen female linear eaters scored high on a scale for restrained eating. When challenged to eat at an increased rate, a test of disinhibition, the women overate by 16% on average. The women then practiced eating at a decelerated rate by use of feedback from a training curve displayed on a computer screen during the meals. The training occurred three times each week and lasted eight weeks. When re-tested in the absence of feedback, the women ate at a decelerated rate, they did not overeat in the test of disinhibition and they scored lower on the scale for restrained eating. It is suggested that restrained eating is a state that can be reduced by training.