Gender differences in eating behavior and masticatory performance: An analysis of the Three-Factor-Eating Questionnaire and its association with body mass index in healthy subjects

Objectives: The Three-Factor-Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) is an established instrument to assess eating behavior in terms of dietary restraint, disinhibition and hunger.

Methods: The aims of this study were to examine (1) the correlation between eating behavior and body mass index (BMI), (2) the correlation between eating behavior and masticatory performance in terms of bite size and eating speed, and (3) the effects of gender on these correlations in 56 healthy subjects (33 males [21.9 ± 2.8 years old] and 23 females [21.7 ± 2.2 years old]).

Results: We found a significant correlation between restraint and BMI only in females and between hunger and BMI only in males. However, disinhibition and BMI were significantly correlated in both males and females. We also found a significant correlation between bite size and hunger only in males and between eating speed and disinhibition in both males and females.

Conclusions: These findings underline the importance of gender-specific counselling and behavioral treatment of obesity.