Perceived Childhood Food Insecurity is Associated with Decreased Adult Intuitive Eating

J Nutr Educ Behav. 2026 Mar 17:S1499-4046(26)00040-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2026.02.004. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between adult intuitive eating and perceived food security during childhood.

METHODS: A survey was conducted consisting of the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 and the 6-item short form of the US Household Food Security Module modified to assess perceived food security status in participants aged 0-17 years. Student, faculty, and staff participants (n = 331) were primarily White, women, and aged 18-24 years. Analyses included descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Kendall’s Tau-b correlations.

RESULTS: Overall, perceived childhood food insecurity was negatively correlated with adult intuitive eating (T_b = -0.1, P = 0.03) and body-food choice congruence (T_b = -0.1, P = 0.03). When stratified by gender, among women, perceived childhood food insecurity was negatively correlated with adult intuitive eating (T_b = -0.1, P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Perceived childhood food insecurity and adult intuitive eating warrant further exploration to identify those who may benefit from intuitive eating education.

PMID:41848476 | DOI:10.1016/j.jneb.2026.02.004