Restrained eating among adolescents: dieters are not always bingers and bingers are not always dieters.

This study examined individual differences in the relationships among 3 constructs relevant to restrained eating theory-cognitive restraint (dieting), disinhibition (binging), and hunger. Participants were 421 adolescents (158 male, 255 female, and 8 not indicated). Comparisons among subgroups based on scores on the 3 constructs indicated that there were (a) 2 types of frequent dieters-those who follow theoretical predictions and become disinhibited and those who maintain their restraint; (b) 2 types of bingers-those who engage in dieting-induced binging and those who are hungry and disinhibited; and (c) 2 types of low-hunger eaters-those who suppress their hunger and those who eat before they experience much hunger. Implications of the results for restrained eating theory are discussed.