Retrospective recall of food parenting practices during childhood, current adult health outcomes, and intuitive eating

Abstract

Emerging adulthood is a time of exploration, change, and emerging independence, which can make individuals vulnerable to health changes. Previous research demonstrates that food parenting practices (coercive control, structure, and autonomy support) during childhood may relate to health outcomes into adulthood. In the current study, it was hypothesized that intuitive eating during emerging adulthood would be associated with food parenting practices; with coercive control and structure practices hindering intuitive eating, while autonomy support encourages it. The current study tested these relationships further, utilizing retrospective reports of food parenting practices during childhood and examining their relation to intuitive eating, dietary quality, BMI, and body satisfaction in emerging adults. A sample of 225 students participated in the present study regarding recall of food parenting practices, and current intuitive eating and health outcomes. Mediation models were tested to examine the direct effects of each food parenting practice on dietary quality, BMI, and body satisfaction through the indirect effect of intuitive eating. Results demonstrated that coercive control was negatively related to intuitive eating, while autonomy support was positively related to intuitive eating. The relationships between coercive control, dietary quality, BMI, and body satisfaction were mediated by lower intuitive eating. Structure was not related to intuitive eating, nor were the associations between structure and adult health outcomes mediated by intuitive eating. The associations between autonomy support, BMI, and body satisfaction were mediated by higher intuitive eating. Interventions should focus on encouraging intuitive eating, by increasing autonomy support food practices and reducing coercive control food practices