A sample of 533 adults (268 women and 265 men) representative of the g
eneral population of Great Britain were interviewed so that the extent
and effects of restraint, using the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionna
ire (DEBQ; Van Strien, Frijters, Bergers, & Defares, 1986) and the ext
ent of overestimation of body weight could be examined. High-restraint
subjects reported more guilt about food and eating and a greater like
lihood of overeating in reaction to dysphoric mood, and they were more
apt to overestimate their body size. Women reported significantly hig
her restraint, more guilt after eating in various types of social situ
ations, and more overeating in reaction to dysphoric mood. Higher soci
al class was associated with reports of guilt about a greater number o
f foods and with reports of more overeating when under stress or tired
. Age was positively associated with guilt and negatively associated w
ith overeating in reaction to being under stress, tired, or depressed.