Dietary RestraintNCT07349316
The Effects of Weight and Nutrition Education on Weight Control Beliefs, Body Image, Self-Esteem and Eating Patterns in Undergraduate Dieters
A study testing Weight Science Education, Nutrition Education and Sleep Education in people with Dietary Restraint, run by St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
People who diet typically believe they can control their weight. People who believe they should control their weight are more likely to have poor body image, low self-esteem and disordered eating. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Dietary Restraint
- What is being tested?
- Weight Science Education, Nutrition Education and Sleep Education
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 150 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 1 Jan 2026to 31 Aug 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Undergraduate students at McMaster University
- Individuals who are restricting their eating to try and lose weight.
- Self-identified women
- Ages 18 or over
- Normal (or corrected to normal) hearing
- Normal (or corrected to normal) vision
Who cannot join
- Self-identified men
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Mindy Tat, BSc contact
Canada1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
McMaster University
Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 3K7
Keisha Gobin, Ph.D., C.Psych, 905-522-1155 ext. 34093, kgobin@stjoes.ca
Mindy Tat, BSc, tatm@mcmaster.ca
About this study
Official title: The Effects of Weight Science and Nutrition Education on Weight Control Beliefs, Body Image, Self-Esteem and Eating Patterns in Undergraduate Dieters
People who diet typically believe they can control their weight. People who believe they should control their weight are more likely to have poor body image, low self-esteem and disordered eating. People who believe they should aim for a healthy lifestyle and accept their natural weight have better body image, better self-esteem and less disordered eating. This study will compare three types of education in undergraduate dieters. In the first, the investigators will teach how the body naturally controls weight. In the second, the investigators will teach about healthy eating. In the third, the investigators will teach about how the body naturally controls weight and healthy eating. The study is testing whether teaching about how the body naturally controls weight and healthy eating changes people's beliefs about weight. The study also tests whether changing people's beliefs about weight will change their body satisfaction, their feelings about themselves, and their intention to diet.
- Conditions
- Dietary Restraint
- Being tested
- Weight Science Education, Nutrition Education, Sleep Education
- Keywords
- Weight Control Beliefs, Dieters, Nutrition Counselling, Weight Science, Psychotherapeutic Interventions, Brief Intervention, Dietary Restraint
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Weight Science EducationOther
Also called Weight Education, Weight Science
The weight science educational video discusses the research on the genetic contribution to body weight; the role of genetics in how individuals' body weight responds to over-eating; the research comparing the efficacy of different dieting approaches; the research on the long-term efficacy of behavioural approaches to weight loss; weight loss in obesity; research on the weight-loss registry looking at successful weight losers; and research on weight control beliefs. The video is narrated by Dr. Michele Laliberte, a licensed clinical psychologist, and the information is consistent with current research and recommendations. There is no deception involved and it is made clear to participants that the information they are being provided is based on current research and the purpose is to understand the impact of this information on their attitudes and beliefs.
Nutrition EducationOther
Also called Healthy Eating Education, Healthy Eating, Healthy Nutrition Education
The healthy nutrition educational video discusses the development of food guides around the world; a definition and description of benefits of the "basics" of healthy eating (e.g., regular eating, balanced eating and pleasurable eating); a review of the macronutrients and their importance to health; a review of the recommendations concerning the specific food groups in the Canada's food guide; and how to put this all together to create a healthy eating plan. The video is narrated by Dr. Michele Laliberte, a licensed clinical psychologist, and the information is consistent with current research and recommendations. There is no deception involved and it is made clear to participants that the information they are being provided is based on current research and the purpose is to understand the impact of this information on their attitudes and beliefs.
Sleep EducationOther
Also called Healthy Sleep, Healthy Sleep Education, Sleep Hygiene
The sleep hygiene educational video, which is an active control, reviews the cognitive, emotional, physical health and weight implications of good quality sleep; provides a review of good sleep hygiene; and provides an overview of how to manage insomnia. The video is narrated by Dr. Michele Laliberte, a licensed clinical psychologist, and the information is consistent with current research and recommendations. There is no deception involved and it is made clear to participants that the information they are being provided is based on current research and the purpose is to understand the impact of this information on their attitudes and beliefs.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Science Education and Sleep Education (Control) | Active comparator | Participants in the Weight Science Education and Sleep Education (Control) arm will be receiving both those educational interventions after answering questionnaires. This arm assesses the hypothesis that weight science education alone will decrease belief in personal control over weight and will have little to no effect on belief in choosing a healthy lifestyle/weight acceptance. Receives: Other: Weight Science Education; Other: Sleep Education |
| Nutrition Education and Sleep Education (Control) | Active comparator | Participants in the Nutrition Education and Sleep Education (Control) arm will be receiving both those educational interventions after answering questionnaires. This arm assesses the hypothesis that nutrition education alone will increase belief in choosing a healthy lifestyle or weight acceptance, but will have little to no effect on the belief in personal control over weight. Receives: Other: Nutrition Education; Other: Sleep Education |
| Weight Science Education and Nutrition Education | Experimental | Participants in the Weight Science Education and Healthy Eating Education arm will be receiving both those educational interventions after answering questionnaires. This arm assesses the main hypothesis that weight science and nutrition teaching combined will both decrease the belief of personal control over weight and an increase the belief in choosing a healthy lifestyle/weight acceptance. Receives: Other: Weight Science Education; Other: Nutrition Education |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in beliefs on the ability to control one's weight (weight control beliefs).
Decreased score on the Weight Control Beliefs questionnaire post-intervention compared to pre-intervention questionnaire score, where a total score of 17 is equivalent to beliefs that weight is not entirely under personal control and a total score of 68 indicates beliefs that weight is entirely under personal control.
Measured: From baseline measure to the end of the intervention at approximately one hour.
Secondary outcomes (4)
Change in restrained eating
Decreased score on the cognitive restraint subscale of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire Revised-18 (TFEQ-R18) post-intervention compared to pre-intervention questionnaire score. A cognitive restraint score of 24 is equivalent to high dietary restraint, and a cognitive restraint score of 6 indicates low dietary restraint.
Measured: From baseline measure to the end of the intervention at approximately one hour.
Change in the intent to diet
Decreased mean score on the Dieting Intentions Scale (DIS) post-intervention compared to pre-intervention questionnaire score. A mean score of 7 is equivalent to a strong intent to diet, and a mean score of 1 indicates a low intent to diet.
Measured: From baseline measure to the end of the intervention at approximately one hour.
Change in self-esteem
Increased score on the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale (RSE) post-intervention compared to pre-intervention questionnaire score. A total score of 0 is equivalent to low self-esteem, and a total score of 30 indicates a high self-esteem.
Measured: From baseline measure to the end of the intervention at approximately one hour.
Change in body appreciation
Increased score on the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) post-intervention compared to pre-intervention questionnaire score. A score of 10 is equivalent to low body appreciation, and a score of 50 indicates high body appreciation.
Measured: From baseline measure to the end of the intervention at approximately one hour.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted16 Jan 2026
- Study start1 Jan 2026
- Primary completion31 Aug 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Aug 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Dietary RestraintStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This is an experimental study in which participants will be randomly assigned to one of three conditions: 1) weight science + control (sleep education); 2) control (sleep education) + healthy eating education; or 3) weight science + healthy eating education. The control component (sleep education) is the same in both Group 1 and Group 2 and is intended to serve as a pure placebo, not expected to influence the study's primary outcomes.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 150 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Keisha Gobin, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07349316
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 19334
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 9 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 23 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Participants are providing consent for inclusion in this singular study.
Publications
Laliberte MM, Lucibello KM. Weight control beliefs in the treatment of binge-eating disorder: Why might they matter? Int J Eat Disord. 2022 Jun;55(6):820-825. doi: 10.1002/eat.23713. Epub 2022 Apr 7.
PubMed 35388511Laliberte, M. M., Balk, D., Tweed, S., Smith, J., & Ghai, A. (2014). The impact of education on weight control beliefs. Ethnicity and Inequalities in Health and Social Care, 7(2), 86-95. https://doi.org/10.1108/EIHSC-11-2013-0041
Laliberte, M. M., Newton, M., McCabe, R., & Mills, J. S. (2007). Controlling Your Weight Versus Controlling Your Lifestyle: How Beliefs about Weight Control Affect Risk for Disordered Eating, 10534_2006_9060_Fig3_HTML.gif Dissatisfaction and Self-esteem. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 31(6), 853-869. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-006-9104-z
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effects of Weight Science and Nutrition Education on Weight Control Beliefs, Body Image, Self-Esteem and Eating Patterns in Undergraduate Dieters
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07349316
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 19334
- Conditions
- Dietary Restraint
- Keywords
- Weight Control Beliefs, Dieters, Nutrition Counselling, Weight Science, Psychotherapeutic Interventions, Brief Intervention, Dietary Restraint
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 150 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- St. Joseph's Healthcare HamiltonUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Aug 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Aug 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 16 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
People who diet typically believe they can control their weight. People who believe they should control their weight are more likely to have poor body image, low self-esteem and disordered eating. People who believe they should aim for a healthy lifestyle and accept their natural weight have better body image, better self-esteem and less disordered eating. This study will compare three types of education in undergraduate dieters. In the first, the investigators will teach how the body naturally controls weight. In the second, the investigators will teach about healthy eating. In the third, the investigators will teach about how the body naturally controls weight and healthy eating. The study is testing whether teaching about how the body naturally controls weight and healthy eating changes people's beliefs about weight. The study also tests whether changing people's beliefs about weight will change their body satisfaction, their feelings about themselves, and their intention to diet.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- This is an experimental study in which participants will be randomly assigned to one of three conditions: 1) weight science + control (sleep education); 2) control (sleep education) + healthy eating education; or 3) weight science + healthy eating education. The control component (sleep education) is the same in both Group 1 and Group 2 and is intended to serve as a pure placebo, not expected to influence the study's primary outcomes.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Science Education and Sleep Education (Control) | Active comparator | Other: Weight Science Education, Other: Sleep EducationParticipants in the Weight Science Education and Sleep Education (Control) arm will be receiving both those educational interventions after answering questionnaires. This arm assesses the hypothesis that weight science education alone will decrease belief in personal control over weight and will have little to no effect on belief in choosing a healthy lifestyle/weight acceptance. |
| Nutrition Education and Sleep Education (Control) | Active comparator | Other: Nutrition Education, Other: Sleep EducationParticipants in the Nutrition Education and Sleep Education (Control) arm will be receiving both those educational interventions after answering questionnaires. This arm assesses the hypothesis that nutrition education alone will increase belief in choosing a healthy lifestyle or weight acceptance, but will have little to no effect on the belief in personal control over weight. |
| Weight Science Education and Nutrition Education | Experimental | Other: Weight Science Education, Other: Nutrition EducationParticipants in the Weight Science Education and Healthy Eating Education arm will be receiving both those educational interventions after answering questionnaires. This arm assesses the main hypothesis that weight science and nutrition teaching combined will both decrease the belief of personal control over weight and an increase the belief in choosing a healthy lifestyle/weight acceptance. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Undergraduate students at McMaster University
- Individuals who are restricting their eating to try and lose weight.
- Self-identified women
- Ages 18 or over
- Normal (or corrected to normal) hearing
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Self-identified men
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Science EducationAlso: Weight Education, Weight ScienceThe weight science educational video discusses the research on the genetic contribution to body weight; the role of genetics in how individuals' body weight responds to over-eating; the research comparing the efficacy of different dieting approaches; the research on the long-term efficacy of behavioural approaches to weight loss; weight loss in obesity; research on the weight-loss registry looking at successful weight losers; and research on weight control beliefs. The video is narrated by Dr. Michele Laliberte, a licensed clinical psychologist, and the information is consistent with current research and recommendations. There is no deception involved and it is made clear to participants that the information they are being provided is based on current research and the purpose is to understand the impact of this information on their attitudes and beliefs. | Other | Weight Science Education and Nutrition Education, Weight Science Education and Sleep Education (Control) |
| Nutrition EducationAlso: Healthy Eating Education, Healthy Eating, Healthy Nutrition EducationThe healthy nutrition educational video discusses the development of food guides around the world; a definition and description of benefits of the "basics" of healthy eating (e.g., regular eating, balanced eating and pleasurable eating); a review of the macronutrients and their importance to health; a review of the recommendations concerning the specific food groups in the Canada's food guide; and how to put this all together to create a healthy eating plan. The video is narrated by Dr. Michele Laliberte, a licensed clinical psychologist, and the information is consistent with current research and recommendations. There is no deception involved and it is made clear to participants that the information they are being provided is based on current research and the purpose is to understand the impact of this information on their attitudes and beliefs. | Other | Nutrition Education and Sleep Education (Control), Weight Science Education and Nutrition Education |
| Sleep EducationAlso: Healthy Sleep, Healthy Sleep Education, Sleep HygieneThe sleep hygiene educational video, which is an active control, reviews the cognitive, emotional, physical health and weight implications of good quality sleep; provides a review of good sleep hygiene; and provides an overview of how to manage insomnia. The video is narrated by Dr. Michele Laliberte, a licensed clinical psychologist, and the information is consistent with current research and recommendations. There is no deception involved and it is made clear to participants that the information they are being provided is based on current research and the purpose is to understand the impact of this information on their attitudes and beliefs. | Other | Nutrition Education and Sleep Education (Control), Weight Science Education and Sleep Education (Control) |
Primary outcome
Change in beliefs on the ability to control one's weight (weight control beliefs).
Time frame: From baseline measure to the end of the intervention at approximately one hour.
Decreased score on the Weight Control Beliefs questionnaire post-intervention compared to pre-intervention questionnaire score, where a total score of 17 is equivalent to beliefs that weight is not entirely under personal control and a total score of 68 indicates beliefs that weight is entirely under personal control.
4 secondary outcomes
Change in restrained eating
Time frame: From baseline measure to the end of the intervention at approximately one hour.
Change in the intent to diet
Time frame: From baseline measure to the end of the intervention at approximately one hour.
Change in self-esteem
Time frame: From baseline measure to the end of the intervention at approximately one hour.
Change in body appreciation
Time frame: From baseline measure to the end of the intervention at approximately one hour.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Oct 2026.
- Background: PubMed 35388511Laliberte MM, Lucibello KM. Weight control beliefs in the treatment of binge-eating disorder: Why might they matter? Int J Eat Disord. 2022 Jun;55(6):820-825. doi: 10.1002/eat.23713. Epub 2022 Apr 7.
- BackgroundLaliberte, M. M., Balk, D., Tweed, S., Smith, J., & Ghai, A. (2014). The impact of education on weight control beliefs. Ethnicity and Inequalities in Health and Social Care, 7(2), 86-95. https://doi.org/10.1108/EIHSC-11-2013-0041
- BackgroundLaliberte, M. M., Newton, M., McCabe, R., & Mills, J. S. (2007). Controlling Your Weight Versus Controlling Your Lifestyle: How Beliefs about Weight Control Affect Risk for Disordered Eating, 10534_2006_9060_Fig3_HTML.gif Dissatisfaction and Self-esteem. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 31(6), 853-869. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-006-9104-z
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Participants are providing consent for inclusion in this singular study.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Mindy Tat, BSc contact
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Weight Science Education, Nutrition Education and Sleep Education in people with Dietary Restraint, run by St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton at 1 site in Canada.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Keisha Gobin, Ph.D., C.Psych (905-522-1155 ext. 34093, kgobin@stjoes.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in beliefs on the ability to control one's weight (weight control beliefs). (time frame: From baseline measure to the end of the intervention at approximately one hour.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07349316, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 23 Oct 2026.