Positive Feeding Practices during Childhood Are Associated with Higher Intuitive Eating in Adulthood

Background: Parental restrictive feeding and pressure to eat have been negatively associated with intuitive eating. However, parental feeding practices that promote intuitive eating are less understood. Purpose: To examine caregiver feeding practices that may promote intuitive eating and the moderating effect of gender. Method: A cross-sectional survey with 941 U.S. adults who completed the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 and recalled their primary childhood caregiver(s)' feeding practices. Results: Ensuring the availability of healthful foods at home was associated with higher intuitive eating among both female (b = 0.147, P < 0.001) and male (b = 0.091, P = 0.018) participants. Encouraging diet diversity (b = 0.095, P = 0.009) was associated with higher intuitive eating among female participants only, whereas honoring children's hunger and satiety feelings (b = 0.136, P = 0.001) was associated with higher intuitive eating among male participants only (adjusted for participants' current age, education, and income). Discussion: Findings established links between positive caregiver feeding practices and higher intuitive eating, with gender playing a moderating role. Translation to Health Education Practice: The design and results of the study relate to the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing Inc. responsibilities, competencies, and subcompetencies (areas I, II, IV, and V). A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI) http://portal.shapeamerica.org/trn-Webinars.