Purpose: Research on intuitive eating is growing, but there are few interventions demonstrating the effect of learning to eat intuitively for people with disordered eating. Young women in particular are at high-risk for developing disordered eating. This study aimed to test the outcomes of a novel intuitive eating intervention for young women with disordered eating. Methods: This study is the first randomized controlled trial introducing intuitive eating to a sample of participants with disordered eating. Participants with current eating disorders were excluded from this study. Women (n=123) ages 18-30 with high levels of disordered eating participated in this study and were randomized to either a treatment (10-week web-based intervention) or control group (10-week waitlist).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
123
Participants received a brief web-based intervention for disordered eating which focused on a style of eating behavior called "intuitive eating". Please see arm description for more details.
Study was conducted exclusively online
The Bronx, New York, United States
Intuitive Eating
Intuitive eating was measured by the Intuitive Eating Scale, 2nd edition (IES-2). Scores on this scale range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater levels of Intuitive Eating.
Time frame: Baseline (Time 1) through study completion, 10 weeks (Time 2)
Disordered Eating
Revised Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-r18)
Time frame: Baseline (Time 1) through study completion, 10 weeks (Time 2)
Body Appreciation
Body appreciation was measured by the Body Appreciation Scale, 2nd edition (BAS-2). Scores on this scale range from 13 to 65, with higher scores indicating greater levels of body appreciation.
Time frame: Baseline (Time 1) through study completion, 10 weeks (Time 2)
Dichotomous Thinking Around Food
Dichotomous thinking around food was measured by the Dichotomous Thinking Scale (DT). Scores on this scale range from 11 to 44, with higher scores indicating greater levels of dichotomous thinking around food.
Time frame: Baseline (Time 1) through study completion, 10 weeks (Time 2)
Psychological Flexibility
Psychological flexibility was measured by the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, 2nd edition (AAQ-2). Scores on this scale range from 7 to 49, with higher scores indicating greater psychological flexibility.
Time frame: Baseline (Time 1) through study completion, 10 weeks (Time 2)
Food Intake
Food intake was measured by the NHANES Food Frequency Questionnaire (NHANES-FFQ), which collects data on respondents' food intake. Participants are asked to recall the frequency in which they consumed various food items over the past 3 days. Frequencies are grouped by food type (i.e., vegetables, fruits, dairy, etc.) and summed.
Time frame: Baseline (Time 1) through study completion, 10 weeks (Time 2)
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Weight/Height used to calculate BMI
Time frame: Baseline (Time 1) through study completion, 10 weeks (Time 2)
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