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Intuitive eating entails the ability to connect with and understand one’s internal hunger and satiety signals, instead of engaging in reactive maladaptive eating behaviours. The current study aimed at examining the factorial structure and psychometric properties of the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2) in the Portuguese population. Also, it aimed at investigating the correlates of intuitive eating and its moderator effect on the association between negative affect and binge eating symptoms. The factorial structure and psychometric properties of the IES-2 were examined in a sample of 545 women and were further corroborated in a distinct sample comprised by men and women from the general community (N= 642). Results supported the four-factor structure of the IES-2, including the subscales: eating for physical reasons rather than emotional reasons; unconditional permission to eat; reliance on hunger and satiety cues; and body-food choice congruence. The scale presented good internal consistency, construct and discriminant validity, and test-retest reliability. IES-2 presented negative correlations with BMI, eating psychopathology, especially binge eating, body shame, and depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms; and positive correlations with decentering and body image flexibility. Furthermore, intuitive eating significantly moderated the relationship between negative affect and binge eating symptomatology. Findings support that the IES-2 is a valid and adequate measure of intuitive eating. Results further highlight the association between intuitive eating and mechanisms relevant for eating and weight regulation, and the possible buffer effect of intuitive eating against binge eating symptoms, carrying therefore important implications for the treatment and prevention of eating-related problems.
How to cite: Duarte C, Pinto-Gouveia J, & Mendes A (2016). Psychometric Properties of the Intuitive Eating Scale -2 and Association with Binge Eating Symptoms in a Portuguese Community Sample. International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy, 16, 329-341.
