Assessment of emotional, externally induced and restrained eating behaviour in nine to twelve-year-old obese and non-obese children

Are there differences in eating behaviour between obese and non-obese children? Using the parent version of the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ-parent version), the results of the present study suggest an affirmative answer to this question. The scores for obese children were significantly higher on the scales for emotional, external and restrained eating behaviour. Relationships were found between emotional eating and negative feelings of physical competence; between external eating and negative feelings of self-worth; and between both eating styles and various aspects of problem behaviour. No relationship was found between external eating and locus of control. Higher scores on both scales were associated with greater caloric intake. These findings suggest that DEBQ can be used as a screening instrument for assessing eating styles of obese children.