Intuitive eating content and body appreciation: A 4-week digital micro-intervention for young adults (randomized trial)

Abstract

This study explored how intuitive eating, caregiver food messages, and a digital cue-based eating intervention relate to body appreciation. Intuitive eating, responding to internal hunger and fullness cues rather than external pressures, was linked to healthier eating patterns and greater body appreciation. Participants (N = 296) completed baseline measures of intuitive eating, body appreciation, and caregiver food messages. A randomized subset (n = 94) received either four weekly 10–12-minutes psychoeducational videos on intuitive eating or comparable wellness content, with follow-ups at 1 and 3 months. Higher intuitive eating and supportive caregiver messages predicted greater body appreciation, while restrictive messages were unrelated. The digital intervention significantly enhanced body appreciation and increased reliance on internal cues, though overall intuitive eating scores did not change. These findings emphasize the long-term influence of early caregiver messages and demonstrate the promise of brief, scalable digital interventions for promoting positive body image.