Review Article Relationships between intuitive eating and health indicators: literature review

Abstract

Objective: To review the peer-reviewed literature on relationships between intuitive eating and health indicators and suggest areas of inquiry for future research. We define the fundamental principles of intuitive eating as: (i) eating when hungry; (ii) stopping eating when no longer hungry/full; and (iii) no restrictions on types of food eaten unless for medical reasons. Design: We include articles cited by PubMed, PsycInfo and Science Direct published in peer-reviewed journals or theses that include 'intuitive eating' or related concepts in the title or abstract and that test relationships between intuitive eating and physical or mental health indicators. Results: We found twenty-six articles that met our criteria: seventeen cross-sectional survey studies and nine clinical studies, eight of which were randomised controlled trials. The cross-sectional surveys indicate that intuitive eating is negatively associated with BMI, positively associated with various psychological health indicators, and possibly positively associated with improved dietary intake and/or eating behaviours, but not associated with higher levels of physical activity. From the clinical studies, we conclude that the implementation of intuitive eating results in weight maintenance but perhaps not weight loss, improved psychological health, possibly improved physical health indicators other than BMI (e.g. blood pressure; cholesterol levels) and dietary intake and/or eating behaviours, but probably not higher levels of physical activity. Conclusions: Research on intuitive eating has increased in recent years. Extant research demonstrates substantial and consistent associations between intuitive eating and both lower BMI and better psychological health. Additional research can add to the breadth and depth of these findings. The article concludes with several suggestions for future research.

Intuitive Eating Practices and Attitudes of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists

“…13 Non-diet approaches are proven to support long term behavior changes and healthful eating and living habits. 10,12,13 The results of a New Zealand study with 1,600 women also confirmed a negative correlation between BMI and intuitive eating scores. 14 Women who reported trying to lose weight (n=398) at the start of the study were significantly heavier (p<.001) at the end of the 3 years compared to the women who reported weight maintenance (n=423) or no attempt at weight loss (n=153).…”

“…This is consistent with other studies which have a confirmed negative correlations between intuitive eating and BMI. 10,52,53 There was no significant difference between the intuitive eating groups and HEI scores. Nor was IES-2 observed to be correlated to HEI scores.…”

“…Most studies have observed intuitive eating in sample populations of adult women 10,13,15 or college students. 45 This study also observed intuitive eating practices in a sample of mostly middle-aged women however, this sample is unique because it consisted of only Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.…”

“…10 The HEI tool was developed to be consistent with the American Dietary Guidelines. 49 These guidelines could be considered a regimented eating pattern recommendation that encourages diet like behaviors.…”

A Feasibility Study of Taste & See: A Church Based Programme to Develop a Healthy Relationship with Food

“…When dieting and intuitive eating programmes are compared, greater short-term weight loss is seen with dieting, although the sustainability of this is questionable [43,56].…”