Eating behaviors, eating style, and children's weight status: Failure to find an obese eating style

• Published in: The International journal of eating disorders Vol. 4; no. 1; pp. 113 - 119
• Main Authors: Israel, Allen C., Weinstein, Jodi B., Prince, Barbara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.02.1985; Wiley
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Child clinical studies; Medical sciences; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Human; Obesity; Feeding behavior; Child; Alimentary behavior disturbance; Interindividual comparison
• ISSN: 0276-3478; 1098-108X
• DOI: 10.1002/1098-108X(198502)4:1<113::AID-EAT2260040113>3.0.CO;2-8

The eating behavior of children in grades 3 through 5 was observed during their regular lunch period in the school cafeteria. The children's heights and weights were also obtained. Observations were made of bite rate, chew rate, and several behaviors interruptive of eating (e.g., utensils down, toys). An eating style score was also derived from these behaviors. Consistent with a distinct eating style conceptualization, fewer bites per unit time were associated with a higher rate of chews per bite. However, the present results for the most part do not support the existence of distinct obese or nonobese eating styles, nor do they indicate a consistent relationship between weight status and eating behaviors or style.