Creating a clinical screening questionnaire for eating behaviors associated with overweight and obesity.

Objective: The objective of this study was to associate questions about specific eating behaviors with weight. Our ultimate goal was to create a clinical screening questionnaire for eating behaviors associated with overweight and obesity.

Methods: We developed a questionnaire based on eating behaviors associated with overweight and obesity. After pilot testing and revision, we administered the questionnaire to patients in 2 primary care clinics from the Utah Health Research Network. We analyzed the relationship between measured body mass index, demographic factors, and responses to screening questions about eating behaviors and physical activity.

Results: We collected 261 completed questionnaires with weight and height measurements. With regression analysis, questions about consumption of beverages with sugar added, fruits and vegetables, and full portions served at restaurants as well as questions about physical activity were associated with body mass index and being overweight and/or obese.

Conclusions: We suggest that future research about eating behaviors focus on the questions regarding typical consumption of beverages with sugar added, fruits and vegetables, and full portions served at restaurants to further develop a tool for clinical screening.