Assessing the three types of dieting in the Three-Factor Model of dieting. The Dieting and Weight History Questionnaire

The construct of attempted eating restriction has been measured in a number of ways in recent years. The Three-Factor Model of Dieting suggests that dieting can be subdivided into three types: (1) frequency of past dieting and overeating (i.e., history of dieting), (2) current dieting to lose weight, and (3) weight suppression, or the difference between an individual’s current weight and his or her highest previous weight. The purpose of this paper is to (1) describe the Dieting and Weight History Questionnaire (DWHQ), a measure that we have used for many years to assess these three dimensions of dieting; (2) provide some recent examples of published research on each type of dieting; (3) discuss some of the nuances of assessing these dieting types; and (4) suggest directions for future research.

► We describe research on current dieting, history of dieting, and weight suppression.
► We describe the Dieting and Weight History Questionnaire.
► Directions for future research on these dimensions of dieting are discussed.