Resting metabolic rate in young women classified as restrained or unrestrained eaters

Restrained eating involves a mainly cognitive control of eating behaviour and has been supposed to be a predisposing factor for the development of eating disorders. Biological correlates of the behaviour are expected, too. The present study investigated resting metabolic rate in 33 female restrained and unrestrained eaters. Measured by indirect calorimetry RMR showed a significant negative relationship to the degree of dietary restraint (controlled for BMI, partial r=-.46, p<.01). The lower energy requirements of restrained eaters might be genetically predisposed, but also might have severe consequences in nonclinical and clinical groups. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.