Associations Between Restrained, Emotional, and External Eating Behaviors and Obesity Among Saudi Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Females demonstrated significantly higher restrained eating scores compared with males.

• β = -0.14; 95% CI: -0.24, -0.04; p = 0.008
• The study included 405 males and 592 females aged ≥ 18 years residing in Saudi Arabia
• Mean age of participants was 37.05 ± 13.39 years
• Eating behaviors were assessed using the validated Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ)

Participants with obesity exhibited higher emotional eating scores compared to other BMI categories.

• Regression models were used to assess associations between eating styles, categorical BMI, and body fatness
• Approximately one-third of Saudi adults have obesity according to background data cited
• The DEBQ measures restrained, emotional, and external eating styles
• Total sample was 997 adults

External eating was more prevalent among underweight participants.

• This association was identified through regression models examining eating styles and categorical BMI
• External eating is one of three eating styles measured by the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ)
• The finding suggests different eating behavioral profiles across the BMI spectrum

Body fatness was significantly associated with emotional and external eating but not with restrained eating.

• Both emotional and external eating showed significant associations with body fatness measures
• Restrained eating did not show a significant association with body fatness
• This distinction suggests that body fatness and BMI status may differentially relate to specific eating styles
• Anthropometric measures were self-reported via questionnaire

Significant gender differences were observed in BMI, body fatness, and physical activity levels among Saudi adult participants.

• The cross-sectional study included 997 adults (405 males and 592 females)
• Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric measures, and health status
• Regression models were used to examine gender differences in mean eating style scores
• Gender differences extended across multiple health indicators beyond eating behavior alone