To investigate the association between eating behaviours (eating speed and energy intake of main meals) and overweight in pre-school children.

Cross-sectional study. Data consisted of measurements (height and weight), questionnaire information (eating behaviours of eating speed and overeating) and on-site observation data (meal duration and energy intake of main meals).

Seven kindergartens in Beijing, China.

Pre-school children (n 1138; age range 3·1–6·7 years old) from seven kindergartens participated in the study.

The multivariate-adjusted odds ratio of overweight in participants with parent-reported ‘more than needed food intake’ was 3·02 (95 % CI 2·06, 4·44) compared with the ‘medium food intake’ participants, and higher eating speed was associated with childhood overweight. For the two observed eating behaviours, each 418·7 kJ (100 kcal) increase of lunch energy intake significantly increased the likelihood for overweight by a factor of 1·445, and each 5-min increase in meal duration significantly decreased the likelihood for overweight by a factor of 0·861. Increased portions of rice and cooked dishes were significantly associated with overweight status (OR = 2·274; 95 % CI 1·360, 3·804 and OR = 1·378; 95 % CI 1·010, 1·881, respectively).

Eating speed and excess energy intake of main meals are associated with overweight in pre-school children.