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Zhu Y, Gao J, Gao Q, Chen D, Zeng Z. Association between body weight perception and intuitive eating among undergraduate students in China: the mediating role of body image. Front Nutr 2024; 10:1288257. [PMID: 38268671 PMCID: PMC10805991 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1288257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The association between body weight perception and intuitive eating among undergraduate students in China remains insufficiently understood. In the present study, we were aimed to examine the correlation between body weight perception, body image, and intuitive eating and determine whether the link between body weight perception and intuitive eating was influenced by body image. Methods A total of 1,050 undergraduate students completed the survey. Participants provided self-reported demographic details and completed two structured scales. The Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA) and the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2) were employed to assess body image and intuitive eating. Analysis of the mediation model was conducted using version 4.1 of the PROCESS Macro. Results with a value of p less than 0.05 were deemed statistically significant. Results The average age of the participants was 20.08 years (SD = 1.64). Among the students, 837 (79.7%) were female, and 212 (20.3%) were male. Body image (r = -0.429, p < 0.001) and intuitive eating (r = -0.313, p < 0.001) exhibited significant negative associations with body weight perception. Furthermore, body image showed a significant positive correlation with intuitive eating (r = 0.318, p < 0.001). Significant mediating effects of body image were identified concerning intuitive eating and body weight perception in the right weight (95% bootstrap CI = 0.007, 0.040) and overweight groups (95% bootstrap CI = -0.048, -0.009). The indirect effects of body image constituted 12.19% and 15.33% of the total effects of intuitive eating in these two groups. Conclusion Although the indirect effects were not substantial, these outcomes shed light on the partial understanding of how body weight perception impacted intuitive eating via body image. Importantly, our findings emphasized the significance of body image and body weight perception, offering a novel insight for prospective interventions targeting undergraduate students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Zhu
- School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiage Gao
- School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Qinyi Gao
- Nursing Department, Nanjing Jiangning Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Dandan Chen
- School of Health Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhi Zeng
- School of Health Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Owens BA, Sabik NJ, Tovar A, Ward-Ritacco CL, Oaks BM. Higher intuitive eating is associated with lower adiposity in midlife women. Eat Behav 2023; 50:101796. [PMID: 37634483 DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2023.101796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Intuitive eating (IE) is consistently associated with a lower body mass index, though its relationship with adiposity, specifically abdominal adiposity, is unknown. Given that midlife women often experience increases in adiposity during midlife, our objective was to examine the association between IE and adiposity in midlife women. We also aimed to validate the factor structure of the Intuitive Eating Scale (IES) in a sample of midlife women. METHOD We analyzed data from a cross-sectional study of 116 women between 40 and 64 years of age. Participants completed in-person visits and self-reported questionnaires, including the 21-item IES. Adiposity was assessed using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Measurements included total body fat percentage and android/gynoid (AG) ratio as a measure of abdominal adiposity. RESULTS Confirmatory factor analysis of the IES demonstrated a poor fit to the data. Thus, we conducted an exploratory factor analysis which resulted in a 15-item scale with five items on each subscale, and demonstrated improved fit. Higher intuitive eating was associated with lower total body fat percentage (β = -6.77, p < 0.0001) and lower abdominal adiposity (β = -0.09, p = 0.0005). Higher scores on eating for physical reasons and reliance on internal hunger and satiety cues were associated with lower total body fat and lower abdominal adiposity. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that higher intuitive eating is associated with lower total body fat percentage and lower abdominal adiposity. These results may have public health implications to promote intuitive eating in midlife women, a population at risk of weight gain and changes to body fat distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget A Owens
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Fogarty Hall, 41 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI 02881, United States of America.
| | - Natalie J Sabik
- Department of Health Studies, University of Rhode Island, Independence Square, 25 West Independence Way, Kingston, RI 02881, United States of America.
| | - Alison Tovar
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Center for Health Promotion and Health Equity, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903, United States of America.
| | - Christie L Ward-Ritacco
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Rhode Island, Independence Square, 25 West Independence Way, Kingston, RI 02881, United States of America.
| | - Brietta M Oaks
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Fogarty Hall, 41 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI 02881, United States of America.
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Modica CA, DiLillo V. A structural invariance analysis of the acceptance model of intuitive eating across black, hispanic, and white young-adult women. Body Image 2023; 44:157-169. [PMID: 36638751 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
In this cross-sectional study, structural invariance of the acceptance model of intuitive eating was examined between a sample of Black (n = 420), Hispanic (n = 420), and White (n = 435) cisgender women between the ages of 18-30 years old residing in the United States. Mean age for the total sample (n = 1275) was 24.17 years old (SD = 3.65). Women were recruited via Qualtrics Sampling, and self-report measures were administered online. Multigroup analyses were employed within a structural equation modeling framework, and measurement invariance at the configural, metric, scalar, and strict/residual levels was investigated first. After uncovering and accounting for several error variances that were non-invariant, multigroup structural invariance analyses indicated that paths within the model were invariant across the three ethnicities of women. BMI was also incorporated into the model, which, likewise, showed invariance in its associations with specific constructs. With due cautions related to the impact of cultural ideals regarding appearance and the interplay of ethnicity and body-related experiences among women, these results provide preliminary evidence that the model may apply to Black, White, and Hispanic women in the U.S.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Modica
- Department of Psychology, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, OH, United States.
| | - Vicki DiLillo
- Department of Psychology, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, OH, United States
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Healthy orthorexia vs orthorexia nervosa: associations with body appreciation, functionality appreciation, intuitive eating and embodiment. Eat Weight Disord 2022; 27:3197-3206. [PMID: 35864300 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-022-01449-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Current conceptualizations and measures of orthorexia nervosa may not be accurately distinguishing between the healthy vs pathological pursuit of a healthy diet, leading to very high prevalence rates and risking the pathologizing and stigmatizing of healthy eating more generally. Recent research has identified healthy orthorexia as a novel construct conceptually distinct from orthorexia nervosa, which represents the non-pathological pursuit of a healthy diet. In light of the strong body of evidence supporting the role of positive body image in eating behavior, the current study aimed to examine the associations between healthy orthorexia, orthorexia nervosa, intuitive eating and indices of positive body image. METHODS The current study employed a cross-sectional design. An online community sample (N = 835; 62% women; Mage = 40.24, SD = 14.45) completed self-report questionnaires including the Teruel Orthorexia Scale, Body Appreciation Scale-2, Functionality Appreciation Scale, Intuitive Eating Scale-2, and Experience of Embodiment Scale. RESULTS Intuitive eating and indices of positive body image were significantly positively associated with healthy orthorexia and inversely associated with orthorexia nervosa. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis found that intuitive eating and indices of body image were uniquely associated with 13.3% of the variance of healthy orthorexia above and beyond that accounted for by orthorexia nervosa. Intuitive eating moderated the relationship between healthy orthorexia and orthorexia nervosa. CONCLUSION The findings of this study provide support for intuitive eating and indices of positive body image as worthy of further exploration as important factors which distinguish between healthy orthorexia and orthorexia nervosa. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V, descriptive study.
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Psychometric properties of a Greek translation of the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2) in adults from Cyprus. Body Image 2022; 43:348-361. [PMID: 36272259 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The construct of intuitive eating is commonly assessed using the 23-item, 4-factor Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2; Tylka & Kroon Van Diest, 2013). In this study, we assessed the psychometric properties of a novel Greek translation of the IES-2 in adults from Cyprus. In Study 1 (N = 626), an exploratory factor analysis indicated that the IES-2 should be conceptualized as consisting of six factors that showed complete invariance across women and men. Study 2 (N = 793), using exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) and beifactor analysis (B-ESEM), indicated that the 6-factor B-ESEM model had adequate fit and evidenced complete invariance across sex once the correlated uniqueness of negatively worded IES-2 items was accounted for. This final model evidenced adequate composite reliability, and a global G-factor evidenced adequate convergent, concurrent, and discriminant validity. In contrast, the IES-2 S-factors showed more equivocal patterns of validity, with some S-factors showing less-than-adequate associations with body image variables, self-esteem, symptoms of disordered eating, and fruit and vegetable intake. In general, these results provide satisfactory evidence of the psychometric properties of the Greek IES-2 in adults from Cyprus, but also suggest that models of IES-2 scores may vary across national or cultural contexts.
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Jackson A, Sano Y, Parker L, Cox AE, Lanigan J. Intuitive eating and dietary intake. Eat Behav 2022; 45:101606. [PMID: 35231798 DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2022.101606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Intuitive eating has been associated with positive health benefits, yet the research investigating intuitive eating with dietary intake is minimal, inconsistent, and may differ by sex and food security status. The purpose of this study is to identify relationships between intuitive eating and dietary intake in adults living in the US and explore differences by sex and food insecurity status. We recruited 308 adults 18 years and older living in the US to complete an online survey including demographic data, intuitive eating, a diet screener questionnaire, and food insecurity status. We used structural equation modeling to analyze relationships between intuitive eating subscales, calcium, whole grains, added sugars, vegetables, and fruits. Then, we explored differences by sex and food security status. Unconditional permission to eat was associated with a higher intake of added sugar, while body-food choice congruence was associated with a lower intake of added sugar and calcium, and a higher intake of vegetables and whole grains. Eating for physical rather than emotional reasons was associated with a higher intake of calcium and vegetables. Intuitive eating differed by sex and food security status. While intuitive eating is not consistently related to the intake of more nutritious foods, eating for physical rather than emotional reasons and body-food choice congruence may promote diet quality in a community sample. Men and food secure adults scored higher in intuitive eating suggesting tailored intuitive eating interventions may be essential to increase effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Jackson
- Human Development, Washington State University, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave, Vancouver, WA 98686, United States of America.
| | - Yoshie Sano
- Human Development, Washington State University, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave, Vancouver, WA 98686, United States of America
| | - Louise Parker
- Extension Youth and Families Unit, Human Development, Washington State University, 3158 Fremont Ave, #361, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Anne E Cox
- Kinesiology & Educational Psychology, College of Education, Washington State University, Smith Gym 213C, Pullman, WA 99164, United States of America
| | - Jane Lanigan
- Human Development, Washington State University, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave, Vancouver, WA 98686, United States of America
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Intuitive Eating Among Parents: Associations with the Home Food and Meal Environment. J Acad Nutr Diet 2022; 122:1336-1344. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2022.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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