Comparing Intuitive Eating to Traditional Weight Loss Approaches

Abstract

The majority of the U.S. population experiences a weight-related issue, from overweight and obesity to disordered eating. These weight related issues are commonly addressed by traditional diets in the U.S., but the traditional approaches to these weight related concerns have inconsistent results. This purpose of this review of literature was to explore how an intuitive eating approach may promote psychological health, weight loss, and maintenance compared to traditional weight loss approaches. By exploring different studies data was collected to determine the effectiveness of intuitive eating approaches. One study examined a “health at every size”, non-diet, body acceptance model in which participants utilized an intuitive eating approach. When compared to traditional diet group, the intuitive eating group had more success with attrition rates, maintaining weight, increasing physical activity, and disinhibition. Weight- related psychological flexibility interventions like acceptance commitment therapy helped increase reliance on hunger and satiety cues and eating for physical rather than emotional reasons. An intuitive eating approach can have positive effects on individuals’ weight related issues, psychological flexibility and maintenance of weight over time. The intuitive eating lifestyle may help promote self-esteem and help clients to feel better about themselves.