Impact of Cognitive Dietary Restraint on Perceived Stress, Appetite Sensations, Food Cravings During Energy Restriction

Subjects will receive a reduced-calorie low energy density diet which will provide 85% of their energy needs for a period of 4 weeks. In the condition in which an increase in CDR will be induced, women will be told at the beginning of the study and will be reminded throughout the 4-week duration of the experimental condition that they are on a low-calorie diet and that it is important not to eat more than what is provided and that they should strictly avoid non-study food if they want to lose weight and improve their blood pressure. Subjects will receive feedback about their weight trajectory. After the 4-week controlled intervention women will then receive further information and advices to pursue their weight loss on their own and keeping on with strategies relying on an increase in CDR.

Subjects will receive the same low-calorie diet (85% of their energy needs) for 4 weeks but will not be told that they are on an energy-deficit diet. They will be told at the beginning of the study that the food provided cover all their nutrient needs and that they should eat until satiation. There will be no emphasis on body weight and subjects will be reminded that the aim of the intervention is to document the effects of a diet rich in vegetables and fruits on blood pressure. After the 4-week controlled diet, participants will be taught about the impact of a low energy density diet on satiation and satiety. They will receive further information and advices (with non-restrictive messages) to incorporate more vegetables and fruits in their usual diet.