Eating behaviour, gender, and body mass index

The administration of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) of Stunkard and Messick to a sample of university students indicates that, whereas in women self-reported body mass index (BMI, weight/height²) is positively correlated with Restraint, in men it is positively correlated with Disinhibition and Hunger. Male and female subsamples did not differ in personality characteristics, age, or actual scores of eating behaviour dimensions. A significant positive correlation between Disinhibition and Hunger was confirmed. These results are discussed in terms of differential awareness of eating habits in the two sexes.