The Effect of Physical Activity Level on Intuitive Eating and Mindful Eating

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) can provide self-control in regulating individuals’ nutritional behaviors and physically active individuals tend to adopt healthier dietary habits compared to less physically active ones. There is a growing interest in the concept of mindful eating (ME) and intuitive eating (IE) in modulating healthy dietary habits. The significance of PA on IE and ME as well as the relationship between them is not clear in the literature. Thus, this study evaluated the effects of PA level on IE and ME. Using convenience sampling, a total of 423 participants, with n = 205 healthy females (M =26.00, SD =7.33 years; M =21.96, SD =3.40 kg/m−2) and n= 218 healthy males (M =25.95, SD =6.32 years; M =24.56, SD =3.41 kg/m−2), participated in this study. Participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form, Intuitive Eating Scale-2, Mindful Eating Questionnaire, and Eating Attitudes Test. Student’s t-test or Mann–Whitney U test for two-group comparisons, as well as Kruskal–Wallis H test or one-way ANOVA for three-group comparisons, were conducted for statistical analyses, and a multiple linear regression analysis was used. However, IE and ME total scores were not significantly different among inactive, minimally active, and sufficiently active participants in both genders. According to multiple linear regression analysis, the effect of the total PA score on IE and ME was not found to be significant. The relationship between PA, IE, and ME is not visible. Thus, further studies are needed to develop effective intervention strategies in both general and clinical populations.