Normal weight status in military service members was associated with intuitive eating characteristic

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between individual weight status and intuitive eating or motivation for eating characteristics. Participants were predominantly white (57%), Army (91%), enlisted (72%), males (71%), with a mean age of 30 ± 9 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 27.0 ± 4.2 kg/m2. The cross-sectional, descriptive study included active duty service members (n = 295) recruited from Texas and Washington. Validated Motivation for Eating Scale (MFES) and Intuitive Eating Scale were administered and BMI (m/kg2) was dichotomized at <25 or ≥25 kg/m2. Descriptive, correlation, t-test, and logistic regression analysis were conducted for BMI category with demographic, lifestyle, and MFES/Intuitive Eating Scale scores (α = 0.05; 80% power). Thirty-six percent were normal BMI (22.7 ± 1.6 kg/m2) and 64% were overweight/obese BMI (29.3 ± 3.3 kg/m2). Mean BMI was 27.8 ± 4.2 kg/m2(males) and 24.8 ± 3.4 kg/m2(females) (p < 0.001). Physical MFES type was predominant (77% normal BMI vs. 66% overweight; p = 0.001). Males ate for physical rather than emotional reasons (p = 0.014). Each 1-point increase in Reliance on Internal Hunger Satiety Score was associated with 34% lower odds of being overweight. Disparity existed between sex and intuitive eating characteristic. Increasing awareness of eating influences may improve weight-related dietary behaviors.