The Psychology of Eating: From Healthy to Disordered Behavior

280 An Integrated Model of Diet

Control

The theme of control permeates much of the literature on diet. At times
attempted control is the solution to eating problems, and at others it is the
core component of their cause.

• The food choice literature shows that parental control over food can
  result in children preferring the very foods they are being denied.


• Attempting to limit food intake can result in stress, leading to overeating.


• Food results in a conflict for women between its preparation and con-
  sumption versus its denial.


• Food is used as a statement of self-control.


• Food is used as a statement of social control and a means to regain power.


• Being overweight represents being out of control while thinness
  signifies self-control.


• Body dissatisfaction is translated into dieting, as it is believed that the
  body is a controllable object.


• Dieting is the latest form of attempts to control the female body.


• Dieting aims for food control but paradoxically sometimes leads to
  overeating and loss of control.


• Eating control is presented as the solution to obesity.


• Imposing control over eating is the central problem for patients with
  eating disorders.

Family

Eating behavior takes place within a variety of contexts. One of these is
the family setting. The theme of the family is apparent within a range of
literatures.

• Food preferences are transmitted within the family from parent to child.


• Providing healthy and pleasurable food for the family symbolizes love
  and caring.


• The allocation of food within the family communicates the power rela-
  tions and hierarchy within the family.


• Becoming thin can be read as a rejection of the family and of the desire
  to reproduce.


• Obesity runs in families, and prevention programs are being developed
  to target at-risk children.