Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Controlling Your Weight Versus Controlling Your Lifestyle: How Beliefs about Weight Control Affect Risk for Disordered Eating, 10534_2006_9060_Fig3_HTML.gif Dissatisfaction and Self-esteem

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Cognitive Therapy and Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

This study investigates the importance of weight control beliefs in increasing or decreasing one’s risk for disordered eating. Beliefs underlying weight control (“weight can and should be controlled”) and non-dieting (“strive for a healthy lifestyle and accept one’s natural weight”) approaches were measured and their relationship to disordered eating, body dissatisfaction and self-esteem examined.

Method

In study 1, a new Weight Control Beliefs Questionnaire was evaluated and the relation to disordered eating, body dissatisfaction and self-esteem was investigated in a non-clinical sample of 138 women. In study 2, the questionnaire’s ability to distinguish eating disordered (n = 37) from non-eating disordered (n = 37) individuals was evaluated.

Results and discussion

A belief that one should control one’s weight (BCWeight) was significantly related to disturbed eating, body dissatisfaction and poor self-esteem, whereas a belief that one should control one’s lifestyle and accept the resulting weight (BCLifestyle) showed a strong protective relationship. The questionnaire successfully discriminated eating disordered from non-eating disordered individuals. It is suggested that treatment approaches for both eating disorders and obesity should be evaluated for their impact on these beliefs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • American Psychological Association (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balch, P., & Ross, A. W. (1975). Predicting success in weight reduction as a function of locus of control: A unidimensional and multidimensional approach. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 43(1), 119.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Butryn, M. L., & Wadden, T. A. (2005). Treatment of overweight in children and adolescents: Does dieting increase the risk of eating disorders? International Journal of Eating Disorders, 37(4), 285–293.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cash, T. F. (1996). The body image workbook: An 8-step program for learning to like your looks. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, P. J., & Steere, J. (1995). A comparison of two psychological treatments for bulimia nervosa: Implications for models of maintenance. Behavior Research and Therapy, 33(8), 875–885.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Crowne, D. P., & Marlowe, D. (1959). A new scale of social desirability independent of psychopathology. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 24(4), 349–354.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fairburn, C. G. (1995). Overcoming binge eating. NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fairburn, C. G., Jones, R., Peveler, R. C., Carr, S. J., Solomon, R. A., O’Connor, M., Burton, J., & Hope, R. A. (1991). Three psychological treatments for bulimia nervosa: A comparative trial. Archives of General Psychiatry, 48, 463–469.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • First, M. B., Spitzer, R. L., Gibbon, M., & Williams, J. B. W. (1996). Structured clinical interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders, clinician version (SCID-CV). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Furnham, A., & Atkins, L. (1997). Dieting control beliefs and disordered eating. European Eating Disorders Review, 5(4), 278–296.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garner, D. M. (1997). Psychoeducational principles in treatment. In D.M. Garner & P.E. Garfinkel (Eds.), Handbook of treatment for eating disorders (2nd ed.). NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garner, D. M. (1991). Eating Disorder Inventory-2: Professional manual. FL: Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garner, D. M., Olmsted, M. P., Bohr, Y., & Garfinkel, P. E. (1982). The Eating Attitudes Test: Psychometric features and clinical correlates. Psychological Medicine, 12, 871–878.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Halmi, K. A., Agras, S., Mitchell, J., Wilson, T., Crow, S., Bryson, S. W., & Kraemer, H. (2002). Relapse predictors of patients with bulimia nervosa who achieved abstinence through cognitive behavioural therapy. Archives of General Psychiatry, 59, 1105–1109.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, A. J. (2002). Prevalence and demographics of dieting. In C. G. Fairburn & K. D. Brownell (Eds.), Eating disorders and obesity: A comprehensive handbook (2nd ed.). NY: The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keesey, R. E. (1988). A set-point analysis of the regulation of body weight. In Stunkard A. J. (Ed.), Obesity. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keesey, R. E., & Hirvonen, M. D. (1997). Body weight set-point: Determination and adjustment. Journal of Nutrition, 127(9), 1875S–1883S.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maes, H. H., Neale, M. C., & Eaves, L. J. (1997). Genetic and environmental factors in relative body weight and human adiposity. Behavioral Genetics, 27(4), 325–351.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McKinley, N. M., & Hyde, J. S. (1996). The objectified body consciousness scale: Development and validation. Psychology of Women’s Quarterly, 20, 181–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nir, Z., & Neumann, L. (1995). Relationship among self-esteem, internal-external locus of control, and weight change after participation in a weight reduction program. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 51(4), 482–490. .

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pi-Sunyar, R. X. (2002). Medical complications of obesity in adults. In C. G. Fairburn & K. D. Brownell (Eds.), Eating disorders and obesity: A comprehensive handbook (2nd ed.). NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polivy, J., & Herman, C. P. (1985). Dieting and binging: A causal analysis. American Psychologist, 40, 193–201.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saltzer, E. B. (1982). The Weight Locus of Control (WLOC) scale: A specific measure for obesity research. Journal of Personality Assessment, 46(6), 620–628.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stotland, S., & Zuroff, D. C. (1990). A new measure of weight locus of control: The Dieting Beliefs Scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 54(1 & 2), 191–203.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stunkard, A. J., & Sobal, J. (1995). Psychosocial consequences of obesity. In Brownell K. D. & Fairburn C. B. (Eds.). Eating disorders and obesity: A comprehensive handbook. NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (1989). Using multivariate statistics (2nd ed.). NY: Harper & Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, S. C., Thomas, C., Rickabaugh, C. A., Tantamjarik, P., Otsuki, T., et al. (1998). Primary and secondary control over age-related changes in physical appearance. Journal of Personality, 66, 583–605.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tiggemann, M., & Rothblum, E. D. (1997). Gender differences in internal beliefs about weight and negative attitudes towards self and others. Psychology of Women’s Quarterly, 21, 581–593.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tobias, L. L., & MacDonald, M. L. (1977). Internal locus of control and weight loss: An insufficient condition. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 45(4), 647–653.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Twamley, E. W., & Davis, M. C. (1999). The sociocultural model of eating disturbance in young women: The effects of personal attributes and family environment. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 18, 467–489.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, G. T., & Brownell, K. (2002). Behavioral treatment for obesity. In C. G. Fairburn, & K. D. Brownell (Eds.), Eating disorders and obesity: A comprehensive handbook (2nd ed.). NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wonderlich, S. A., de Zwaan, M., Mitchell, J. E., Peterson, C., & Crow, S. (2003). Psychological and dietary treatments of binge eating disorder: Conceptual implications. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 34(supplement), S58–S73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eating Disorders Program, Community Psychiatry, Fontbonne Bldg, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, 50 Charlton Ave. E., Hamilton, ON, Canada, L8N 4A6

    Michele Laliberte

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    Michele Laliberte & Randi McCabe

  3. Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Mandi Newton

  4. Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    Randi McCabe

  5. Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Jennifer S. Mills

Authors
  1. Michele Laliberte
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mandi Newton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Randi McCabe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jennifer S. Mills
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michele Laliberte.

Appendix I Weight control beliefs questionnaire

Appendix I Weight control beliefs questionnaire

INSTRUCTIONS

Please read each statement and decide how well each statement describes your beliefs

    If the statement is NOT TRUE of your beliefs, circle NT

    If the statement is SLIGHTLY TRUE of your beliefs, circle ST

    If the statement is MODERATELY TRUE of your beliefs, circle MT

    If the statement is VERY TRUE of your beliefs, circle VT

Be sure to answer every statement.

1. I believe I should control my weight......................................................

NT ST MT VT

2. I try to live a healthy lifestyle and let my weight go to what is natural for me.............................................................................................

NT ST MT VT

3. I focus on healthy living rather than on controlling my weight.....................

NT ST MT VT

4. If I work at it, I should be able to keep my weight where I want it...............

NT ST MT VT

5. I try to accept the weight that is natural for me and focus on living a healthy lifestyle..............................................................................

NT ST MT VT

6. If I stick to the right exercise and eating plan, I should be able to achieve the weight and shape I want...............................................................

NT ST MT VT

7. If I am living a healthy lifestyle, my body is likely at the weight I am meant to be.............................................................................................

NT ST MT VT

8. It is important to me that I accept the weight that comes with living a healthy lifestyle..............................................................................

NT ST MT VT

9. The main thing that determines my weight is what I myself do..................

NT ST MT VT

10. If I am careful, I can control my weight................................................

NT ST MT VT

11. I’d rather live healthily and accept that we all come in different shapes and sizes.............................................................................................

NT ST MT VT

12. If my weight is more than I want it to be, then I am at fault........................

NT ST MT VT

13. Whether I gain, lose or maintain my weight is within my control...............

NT ST MT VT

14. I am comfortable letting my weight fluctuate naturally..............................

NT ST MT VT

15. I focus on healthy eating rather than trying to control my weight...............

NT ST MT VT

16. If I want to be a certain weight, I can make it happen..............................

NT ST MT VT

17. I focus on healthy exercise rather than trying to control my weight............

NT ST MT VT

  1. Note
  2. BCWeight scale (Belief in Controlling Weight): Items 1, 4, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16
  3. BCLifestyle scale (Belief in Controlling Lifestyle): Items 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15, 17
  4. Scoring: NT = 1, ST = 2, MT = 3, VT = 4; sum items for each scale

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Laliberte, M., Newton, M., McCabe, R. et al. Controlling Your Weight Versus Controlling Your Lifestyle: How Beliefs about Weight Control Affect Risk for Disordered Eating, 10534_2006_9060_Fig3_HTML.gif Dissatisfaction and Self-esteem. Cogn Ther Res 31, 853–869 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-006-9104-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-006-9104-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation