Impact of Incorporating Intuitive Eating Principles Into a College Nutrition Course on Eating Behaviors

<p>Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of an online introductory college nutrition course that implements evidence-based intuitive eating (IE) concepts and principles on students’ application of IE behaviors. A secondary outcome explored the relationship between student grades and changes in IE behavior implementation. Researchers hypothesized an increase in the average use of IE practices post-intervention.</p> <p>Methods: This study was a non-randomized pilot intervention using pre- and post-test surveys. Enrolled students completed the intuitive eating scale-2 (IES-2) survey on the first and last days of the 16-week course. Students participated in typical nutrition coursework throughout the semester with the addition of information on IE. Total and subscale average IES-2 scores were calculated and analyzed before and after the intervention.</p> <p>Results: Weight-neutral, non-diet nutrition education on IE led to improvement in the total average implementation of IE behaviors (p=0.022) in twenty-three college students. No significant changes were detected in the IES-2 subscale measures. A significant positive association was observed between student grades and changes in mean IES-2 scores.</p> <p>Conclusions and Implications: Based on study findings, adding education regarding IE principles into a basic nutrition course is an effective way to significantly increase total IE habits within an undergraduate student population. Results warrant consideration for standardizing incorporation of weight-neutral education in health courses to improve health behaviors.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS in Nutrition

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Food Science and Nutrition

Year dc:date.available

2022

Author dc:creator

• Minot, Kira L

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kari Pilolla
• Food Science and Nutrition
• College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences

• Intuitive Eating
• Nutrition
• Health Education
• IES-2
• Weight Neutral
• Internal Cues
• Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition

Identifier

10.15368/theses.2022.52

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.calpoly.edu:theses-4063