The relationship between intuitive eating, Mediterranean diet compliance, and obesity: a cross-sectional based on a structural equation study

Abstract

ObjectivesThis research was aimed at determining the relationship between compliance with the Mediterranean diet, intuitive eating, and obesity.MethodThis cross-sectional study involved 5240 adults aged 20 to 64 years, from whom data on sociodemographic characteristics, consumption habits, intuitive eating, and anthropometric measurements were collected via an online survey designed using Google Forms. The Intuitive Eating Scale (IES-2) and Mediterranean Diet Adaptation Screener (MEDAS) were also administered to the participants.ResultsTheir scores on all the IES-2 and MEDAS subscales were negatively correlated with their body mass indices (BMIs). Of the IES-2 subscales, only reliance on hunger and satiety cues (RHSC) was positively related to the MEDAS scores. The IES-2 subscales RHSC and unconditional permission to eat as well as the MEDAS scores were strong determinants of BMI. The relationship between intuitive eating and BMI was stronger than that between the MEDAS scores and BMI. Intuitive eating and compliance with the Mediterranean diet can positively affect an individual's consumption habits and BMI, ultimately resulting in weight loss, the regulation of body weight, and improved health.DiscussionThese cross-sectional findings suggest a potential mechanism that may partially explain the association between Mediterranean diet adherence, intuitive eating and obesity. However, these results should be interpreted with caution as they do not establish a causal relationship. Randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm this relationship.