Eating behaviours vary by sex, age and BMI status, and different eating behaviour styles are associated with varying dietary intakes^{(Reference Daly, O'Sullivan and Walton1)}. This study aims to determine factors associated with the eating behaviours of Irish teens, using data from the recent National Teens’ Food Consumption Survey II (NTFSII 2019/20, n = 428, M/F: 212/216)⁽²⁾.

The Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-r18) contains 18 items, making up 3 scales: Cognitive Restraint (CR, 6 items), Emotional Eating (EE, 3 items), Uncontrolled Eating (UE, 9 items)^{(Reference De Lauzon, Romon and Deschamps3)}.

Converted scores range from 0–100, indicating the proportional contribution of each eating behaviour style, and are calculated using the equation S-L/Rs x100 (S = sum of scale scores, L = lowest possible score, Rs = possible score range)^{(Reference De Lauzon, Romon and Deschamps3)}.

Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests and Pearson correlations were run to test associations between the three TFEQ-r18 scales and age, sex, BMI, Physical Activity (PA), weight perception and dietary variables, including total daily energy intake (kcal) and daily fat, protein and carbohydrate intakes (as% Total Energy).

Mean(SD) scores among the whole group were CR = 28.25(17.62), EE = 25.03(27.77), UE = 38.84(18.73). Females scored higher than males on CR (32.20(18,85), 24.97(15.64)) and EE (34.51(29.84), 15.20(21.13), both P < 0.001). Older teens scored higher than younger teens on EE (29.30(28.76), 21.45(26.20)) and UE (41.65(17.39), 36.76(19.16), both P < 0.01). CR was positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.25) and PA (r = 0.11, both P < 0.001). EE was positively correlated with age (r = 0.19) and BMI (r = 0.21, both P < 0.001), and UE was positively correlated with age (r = 0.12, P = 0.01). Teens who perceived themselves as overweight scored higher on both CR and EE compared with those who perceived themselves as either the correct weight or underweight (all P < 0.001). Daily energy intake was negatively correlated with CR (r=−0.22) and EE (r=−0.19) and positively correlated with UE (r = 0.16, all P < 0.001).

The predominant eating behaviour style for Irish teens is UE, which is eating more than intended based on hunger, sensory factors, or being physically near food. In general, levels of CR and EE are lower in this Irish teen cohort, but both restrained and emotional eating are higher in girls, those with a higher BMI, with a negative weight perception, and with lower energy intakes. Teens with a higher BMI show higher levels of CR and EE, but the direction of causality is unclear – does BMI change the eating behaviour or does the eating behaviour increase BMI? However, the associations between weight perception, dietary intake and eating behaviour styles suggest that, independent of measured BMI, teens who perceive their weight to be too high may be more likely to change their eating and activity habits because of this. This information could help inform healthy eating messages to teens based on motivating factors for diet habits, getting the balance right to prevent both overeating and disordered eating habits.