Dieters more likely to give in to late night alcoholic temptations in presence of pals

A new study has revealed that people, following weight management programs, find it hard to resist late night cravings or the temptation of alcohol in the presence of friends.

Research led by Heather McKee of the University of Birmingham in the UK monitored the social and environmental factors that make dieters cheat.

Eighty people who were either part of a weight-loss group or were dieting on their own participated in the one-week study.

It was found that participants lapsed just over 50 percent of the time when tempted, and were especially vulnerable at night. They were more likely to give in to alcoholic temptations than to eat a sugary snack or to overindulge.

Their willpower was also influenced by the presence of others, regardless of whether a dietary temptation was unexpected or whether the dieter went looking for something to eat.

The stronger the dietary temptation, the more likely a participant was to lapse. Not surprisingly, most participants reported that they were more aware of their eating behavior while keeping their diet diaries.

The study is published in the journal Annals of Behavioral Medicine.