RESUMO
The "Compensatory Health Beliefs" scale assesses the degree to which one believes that unhealthy behaviours can be compensated through healthier ones. However, no validated scale to assess compensatory weight-related behaviors exists. The study's objective was to develop (Study 1) and validate (Study 2) a questionnaire measuring compensatory health motivations and behaviors (CHMB) and to assess their associations with body mass index (BMI) and psychological weight-related measures. An initial 34-item measure was constructed based on a target sample's (Study 1, n = 158) suggestions and refined based on expert feedback. The measure was then tested in a representative Canadian adult sample (N = 1400, 48.7% male). The sample was stratified by sex and age and then randomly split into two (N = 701 for exploratory factor analysis; N = 699 for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) cross-validation). Fit indices, standardized Cronbach's alphas and the associations between the CHMB model with cognitive restraint, weight concerns, and BMI were assessed in multiple linear regression models controlling for age and sex. The final CHMB model (n = 17 items) consisted of four subscales: (1) motivation, (2) use on special occasions, (3) general use, (4) compensatory health beliefs. Fit indices (Goodness of Fit Index = 0.922) and Cronbach's alphas were good (α = 0.88). In multiple linear regression models, all CHMB subscales were associated with greater cognitive restraint in eating. Compensatory behavior use on special occasions was associated with greater weight concern (B = 0.12, p < .0001), while general compensatory behavior use was associated with lower weight concern (B = -0.07, p < .05). None of the subscales were associated with BMI. The validated CHMB scale allows for the assessment of compensatory health motivations and behaviors in a Canadian population. Research on whether this scale can predict weight changes and general health is needed.
RESUMO
Intuitive eating has been proposed as a weight-inclusive, effective, and sustainable approach to eating that benefits psychosocial health compared to traditional restrictive dieting. This cross-sectional study examined the associations of intuitive eating with psychosocial health indicators and demographic characteristics in a representative Canadian sample of adults (n = 1,466). Participants completed an online survey consisting of validated measures on intuitive eating and psychosocial health. Average participant engagement in intuitive eating was moderate with males eating more intuitively than females. Intuitive eating was higher in participants ≥65 years compared to those <65 years, and no differences were found among ethnicities. Correlation tests revealed that intuitive eating was positively correlated with self-esteem and negatively correlated with perceived sociocultural pressure, weight concern, disordered eating behaviour, and cognitive restraint in eating. Compared to males, intuitive eating in females was more strongly correlated with sociocultural pressure and weight concern. Regression analyses showed that intuitive eating interacted with sex in predicting sociocultural pressure and weight concern after controlling for age and ethnicity. Sex-stratified regressions resulted in intuitive eating scores being significantly associated with all psychosocial health indicators investigated. This study provides evidence that intuitive eating is associated with better psychosocial health in a sex-balanced, ethnically diverse Canadian adult sample. Study findings suggest that intuitive eating can be an accessible approach to support a healthy lifestyle and demographic differences should be considered when designing interventions. Future studies need to determine whether intuitive eating improves eating behaviour and reduces disordered eating as well as interacts with other health-related behaviours at a population level.
