Associations Between Intuitive Eating Behaviors and Fruit and Vegetable Intake Among College Students

Abstract

Objective: To assess associations between intuitive eating behaviors and fruit and vegetable intake among college students.

Methods: Intuitive eating behaviors were measured with the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2), which reports a total and 4 subscale scores. Fruit and vegetable intake was measured with the National Institutes of Health Eating at America's Table Fruit and Vegetable screener. Questionnaires were completed online.

Results: Median age of participants was 20 years (n = 293; n = 72 male). Total IES-2 score was not correlated with fruit and vegetable intake. Body-Food Choice Congruence and Eating for Physical Rather Than Emotional Reasons subscales were positively associated with fruit and vegetable intake (r = .462, P < .001 and r = .177, P = .002, respectively). The Unconditional Permission to Eat subscale was negatively associated with fruit and vegetable intake (r = -.308, P < .001).

Conclusions and implications: Correlations between fruit and vegetable intake and intuitive eating behaviors differed by IES-2 subscale scores. If IES-2 is used in nutrition research, education, or counseling with the aim of increasing fruit and vegetable intake, addressing subscale behaviors individually might be considered.

Keywords: feeding behavior; fruit; intuitive eating; student; vegetables.