Cognitive restraint is associated with higher intake of vegetables in a sample of university students.

The main objective of this study was to determine the association between cognitive restraint, nutritional intake and eating patterns in free-leaving subjects. We administered a questionnaire that included information about eating behaviour (restraint, disinhibition, and hunger), dietary intake, and physical activity; 380 students (60% female) completed the study. The association of restraint (low/high) and disinhibition (low/high) with dietary intake was tested using MANOVA in a 2x2 factorial design. Statistically significant main effects were further analyzed using ANOVAs. To identify eating patterns, factorial analysis was employed. Among women, high restrainers reported lower consumption of energy, pastry, and starchy foods, and higher consumption of vegetables, and fish, than low restrainers. In male subjects, high restrainers consumed significantly more vegetables than low restrainers. The major food pattern in female restrainers aggregate: higher consumption of legumes and fruit intake; and lower consumption of pastry, sugar, and starchy foods. In restrained men, the more important food pattern consists of vegetable soup, fruit, milk, and eggs. These differences should be considered in clinical interventions for individuals seeking a better body weight control.