Eating behavior is a strong predictor of weight gain in adults. Research characterizing differences in components of dietary restraint, disinhibition and hunger between overweight and normal weight subjects is insufficient.

To evaluate and to compare scores of dietary restraint (DR), disinhibition (DD), and hunger (H) between women at normal weight (NW, n = 32) and overweight (WW, n = 32). We evaluated correlations between these scores with adiposity and food intake variables.

It was a cross-sectional comparison of two groups (overweight and normal weight women), at ages between 20 and 40 years. We measured body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), body composition (BC), energy and macronutrient intake (EMI), DR, DD and H. The differences between groups were analyzed using Student's T or Mann-Whitney tests. Correlations among DR, DD or H and all other variables in each group were also evaluated.

Mean values of BMI, CC, BC, EMI, DR, DD and H were higher for WW (P< 05). Half or more of WW women had moderate or high levels of DR, DD or H. Mean scores of these variables were higher for this group (P< 05) and tended to “high level”. There was a positive correlation between the H and the EMI (P< 05) in the WW group.

Eating behavior was associated with weight and body composition in these women, especially for WW. Strategies that address changes in cognitive control of food intake can become useful tools in controlling body weight.