Intuitive Eating Correlates of Dieting Motivation Among Undergraduate Women

Objective Weight loss is a common pursuit for university students, yet long-term success remains elusive. Some research suggests that motivations to lose weight in order to improve one’s health may facilitate a gentle, flexible approach to dieting compared to motivations to improve one’s appearance. Intuitive eating (IE) is an anti-dieting philosophy that promotes adaptive eating and is associated with psychological well-being and long-term weight management. Understanding whether dieters engage in any facets of IE could provide insight into sustainability and mental health implications of dieting motivations. Participants and Methods This study examined relationships between dieting motivation, IE, body appreciation, and depression among 227 undergraduate women at a higher education institution in the United States who were attempting weight loss. Results and Conclusion Health-focused dieters more often chose foods that met their body’s needs, had fewer weight fluctuations, and endorsed higher body appreciation compared to appearance-focused dieters. Research should explore the role IE may play in fostering psychologically beneficial eating behaviors among university students who pursue weight loss.