Because feeling fat may be an important risk factor in bulimia, two studies were conducted to investigate the psychological and behavioral variables associated with feeling fat and dissatisfied with one's body. In the first study, 46 female undergraduates completed a series of questions measuring a variety of psychological variables related to body image and weight. Regression analysis found live variables that were significantly related to feeling fat: percent overweight, perfectionism, perceived social pressure toward thinness, social comparison regarding weight, and the degree to which failure experiences affect feelings about one's body. Feeling fat was also highly correlated with perceived lack of control over food, repeated dieting efforts, and binge eating. The second study examined the association between feeling far and self-reported eating behavior. Seventy-two female undergraduates completed the Stunkard and Messick (1985) eating inventory and a measure of body image satisfaction. Feeling fat was significantly related to a tendency to eat in response to external stimuli and emotional distress, and to feeling strong urges to eat. A subscale measuring successful dieting behavior was not found to correlate with feeling fat. Implications for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]