Intuitive Eating is Associated with a Healthier Relationship with Food in Postsurgical Bariatric Patients.

Objective: The objective was to study the association between intuitive eating (IE) and mindful eating (ME), and their relationship with eating, emotional eating, and self-efficacy in patients who undergo bariatric surgery. Design: This correlational study analyzed using linear regression. Setting: The study was completed at University of Massachusetts Memorial Bariatric Center. Participants: In total, 90 participants involved in an online support group associated with the bariatric program (77.8% female, 90.0% Caucasian, aged 27-74 years, body mass index [BMI] 23-52kg/m2) were included. Time since surgery ranged from three months to more than five years, with most patients (40.7%) in the 3-to-11 month postsurgery range. Measurements: The study utilized the Intuitive Eating Scale-2, Emotional Overeating Questionnaire, and a questionnaire designed for this study. Results: Higher IE scores were significantly positively associated with satisfaction from meals (p=0.03), mindful eating (p=0.02), self-efficacy with maintaining eating behaviors long-term (p<0.0001), feeling in control of eating (p<0.0001), having a positive relationship with eating (p<0.0001), making time for relaxation (p=0.04), and regular physical activity (p=0.002). IE was negatively associated with emotional eating (p<0.0001), fear of weight regain (p<0.0001), perceived stress (p=0.01), and tendency to prioritize others' needs before one's own (p=0.002). Unexpectedly, IE was not significantly associated with diet variety nor determining portions based on hunger/fullness levels. Conclusion: Patients who undergo bariatric surgery who embody IE principles are less likely to have challenges with emotional overeating. They feel more in control with eating and confident about maintaining behaviors long-term. IE principles can be adapted for bariatric populations and integrated into pre- and postsurgical counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]