Is implicit self-esteem linked to shape and weight concerns in restrained and unrestrained eaters?

Implicit self-esteem and its link to body shape and weight concerns were examined among restrained (n=32) and unrestrained eaters (n=39). Implicit self-esteem was assessed in an Implicit Association Test before and after increasing the participants' awareness of their own body shape and weight. The results showed a differential direction of change of implicit self-esteem in both groups: Whereas implicit self-esteem increased for unrestrained eaters, it decreased descriptively for restrained eaters. This suggests that restrained eating status and/or initial level of body dissatisfaction might determine whether implicit self-esteem decreases or increases as a result of an activation of body schema. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.