Change in self-efficacy, eating behaviors and food cravings during two years of calorie restriction in humans without obesity.

Calorie restriction (CR) enhances longevity in humans who are normal weight, overweight and obese. While dietary regimens can change self-efficacy, eating behaviors, and food cravings in individuals with obesity, the responses of these measures to prolonged CR in individuals who are exclusively not obese is unknown. The aim of this analysis was to test the effects of a two-year CR intervention on self-efficacy and eating attitudes and behaviors in humans without obesity by analyzing data from the Comprehensive Assessment of Long-term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy Phase 2 (CALERIE 2) study. Participants (n = 218, BMI range = 21.3-29.0 kg/m2) were randomized to a 25% CR group or an ad libitum (AL) group. Eating attitudes and behaviors and self-efficacy were assessed using validated questionnaires at baseline, month 12, and month 24. Dietary restraint and self-efficacy increased in the CR compared to the AL group (ES ≥ 0.32). Increased self-efficacy was negatively related to weight change (ρ < -0.24). In the CR group, males showed a reduction in cravings for carbohydrates and fats at month 24, whereas females did not. The CR group showed elevations in state hunger, which were transient, and disinhibited eating (ES ≥ 0.37). In individuals without obesity, dietary restraint and self-efficacy could be important in promoting long-term CR for individuals looking to use CR as a tool to improve longevity.