The relationship between restrained eating and poor psychological health is moderated by pleasure normally associated with eating

This study investigated the relationship between restrained eating and poor psychological health, and the importance of pleasure normally associated with eating in this relationship. Pleasure normally associated with eating, restrained eating, and anxiety, depression and satisfaction with life were assessed concurrently by questionnaire. A relationship between restrained eating and poor psychological health was found—greater restrained eating was significantly independently associated with greater anxiety (B = 1.099, p < 0.01). Furthermore, pleasure associated with eating was an important moderator in this relationship—greater pleasure associated with eating combined with greater restrained eating was also significantly independently associated with greater anxiety (B = 1.067, p = 0.02). No effects were found for depression or satisfaction with life. These findings suggest that the pleasure normally associated with eating is important in the relationship between restrained eating and poor psychological health. Subsidiary exploratory analyses also suggest that the relationship between restrained eating and poor psychological health, and the importance of pleasure in that relationship, may differ in males and females.