Opposite ends of the spectrum: Is emotional eating present more barriers to applying mindful eating and intuitive eating strategies for females?

Abstract

Abstract Background: There are few studies in the literature examining the role of gender in the relationships between intuitive eating, mindful eating, dietary restraint, and emotional eating. It is important to reveal the role of gender in these relationships. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between intuitive eating, mindful eating, emotional eating and restraint eating behaviors and the role of gender in these relationships. Methods:This study was conducted with 522 participants aged 18-65. Questionnaire about sociodemographic characteristics and general eating habits, Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2), Mindful Eating Questionnaire-30 (MEQ-30), and Emotional Eating and Restraint Eating Subscale of Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) were applied to the participants. Results: DEBQ Restraint Eating, and Emotional Eating subscale scores were found to be higher in females. The total scores of IES-2 and MEQ-30 were found to be higher in the group with Body Mass Index (BMI)<25, and the DEBQ Emotional Eating subscale score was found to be higher in the group with BMI≥25. The negative correlation between DEBQ Emotional Eating subscale score and IES-2 total score was weak in males and strong in females. The negative relationship between MEQ-30 total score and DEBQ Emotional Eating subscale score was moderate in males and strong in females. It was determined that gender explained 27.7% of the relationship between the total score of IES-2 and the total score of MEQ-30, and 37.9% of the relationship between the total score of MEQ-30 and DEBQ Emotional Eating score. Conclusions: Overweight and obese participants had lower levels of intuitive eating and mindful eating, while emotional eating levels were higher. In addition, it has been revealed that mindful eating and intuitive eating strategies are concepts that represent two opposite ends of a spectrum with emotional eating, and emotional eating can be an obstacle when these strategies are applied, especially in females.