Browsing by Author "Oliveira, Ana Rafaela Rodrigues"
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- Intuitive eating and nutritional healthPublication . Oliveira, Ana Rafaela Rodrigues; Mendes, Joana; Sousa, Ana SofiaAim: The main purpose of this work was to understand and define what intuitive eating is and to summarize the possible associations between this approach, health (both physical and psychological), and nutrition. Methodology: A literature review was conducted using the PubMed database and combining different search terms, such as: “(intuitive eating”) AND (“weight” or obes* or “nutritional status”)”. Articles published from 2004 onward were included, excluding those that did not focus on intuitive eating. Results: A total of 167 articles were included in this review. Intuitive eating encourages individuals to rely and trust on their internal hunger and satiety cues rather than follow externally defined and generally inflexible eating patterns, thereby promoting a more positive relation with food and the body. Studies suggest that this approach may offer a more sustainable way to manage weight maintenance and health compared to traditional methods. Scientific evidence indicates that this approach is associated with a lower body mass index, greater satisfaction with body image, better eating habits, and reduced risk of developing eating disorder. Conclusions: The practice of intuitive eating shows potential benefits for an individual’s physical and psychological health. However, further studies are needed to address the various limitations reported by current scientific evidence and to assess the long-term impacts of this approach, particularly on physical health, in diverse populations.