The eating patterns of restrained and unrestrained nine-year-old girls were compared. Prospective seven-day food diary records showed the restrained girls to eat significantly less energy and dietary fibre than the unrestrained. Their ratings of hunger were also significantly higher. Most nutritional indicators, however, showed their diet to be of adequate quality. The translation of dieting concerns into dieting behaviour by nine-year-olds may increase their susceptibility to future clinical eating problems.