Does body appreciation predict decreases in eating pathology via intuitive eating? A longitudinal mediation analysis

Abstract

Evidence suggests that body appreciation may be a protective factor for eating pathology. However, potential explanatory mechanisms for this association are unclear, as longitudinal studies testing mediational pathways are missing. This longitudinal study tested whether intuitive eating mediates the association between body appreciation and eating pathology. Data were analyzed from 3039 women recruited from an educational platform about disordered eating, many of whom exhibited elevated symptomatology. Measures were administered at baseline (T1), four-month (T2) and eight-month (T3) follow-up. Path analyses were computed to test hypothesized indirect effects. Direct paths from T1 body appreciation to T2 intuitive eating (total and subscale scores) and T3 eating pathology/binge eating were observed. However, only one significant indirect effect emerged: higher T1 body appreciation scores predicted greater decreases in T3 eating pathology and binge eating via its effect on increasing T2 Unconditional Permission to Eat (UPE) subscale scores. Findings suggest that the features of the UPE construct (e.g., eating foods that are desired in a given moment, refusal to dichotomize foods as “good” or “bad,” etc.) may be important mechanisms explaining how and why body appreciation protects against eating pathology. Efforts should be made to enhance body appreciation and intuitive eating in eating disorder prevention programs.