Abstract

NASCIMENTO, Amanda et al. Age and nutritional state are associated with intuitive eating in diabetes. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2023, vol.24, n.2, pp.644-656.  Epub Oct 31, 2023. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/23psd240218.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between sociodemographic, clinical and nutritional variables and intuitive eating in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This is a cross-sectional observational study, carried out with adults and the elderly of both sexes, with T2DM, attended by the medical team of a Brazilian university hospital. Sociodemographic, clinical and nutritional data were evaluated, in addition to intuitive eating using the Intuitive Eating Scale-2. 179 individuals were evaluated, most of them female (n=133; 74.3%) and older than 60 years (n=97; 54.2%). Among the participants, most were sedentary (n=93; 52%) and were overweight and obese (n=142; 79.3%). Regarding body perception, most reported feeling overweight (n=114; 63.7%) and was dissatisfied with their own body (n=95; 53.4%). Elderly people were twice as likely to have a more intuitive eating (OR 1.996; 95% CI 1.084-3.676; p=0.027), compared to younger people. Excess weight was associated with a 58.1% lower chance of the individual having an intuitive eating (OR 0.419; 95% CI 0.190-0.925; p=0.031) compared to those with low weight or normal weight, indicating that being overweight it can be negatively associated with intuitive eating. Therefore, being elderly increased the chances of individuals with T2DM to have a more intuitive diet. In contrast, being overweight was negatively associated with this characteristic of eating. These findings can, therefore, contribute with important information about strategies based on intuitive eating in the treatment of T2DM.

Keywords : Intuitive eating; Diabetes mellitus; Overweight; Elderly; Eating behavior.

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