Negative and positive affect and disordered eating: The adaptive role of intuitive eating and body image flexibility

Purpose Negative affect is associated with body image and eating-related problems. Nonetheless, research on mediating emotional processes in this relationship is scant. The present study explored a path model testing the effect of negative and positive affect (PA) on disordered eating symptoms, via its effect on intuitive eating and body image flexibility, while controlling for the effect of body mass index. Methods Participants included 273 women, aged between 18 and 45 years old, who completed an online survey with self-report measures. Results The tested model showed an excellent fit to the empirical data and explained a total of 64% of the variance of disordered eating attitudes and behaviours. This model revealed that the impact of negative and PA on disordered eating symptoms depends on the level of intuitive eating and body image flexibility, even when controlling for the effect of body mass index. Conclusions This study contributes to the understanding of the adaptative and mediational role that intuitive eating and body image flexibility play in the link between affectivity and eating-related difficulties. Indeed, these emotional regulation processes seem to play a protective role against disordered eating, by reducing reactivity and impulsive eating in response to negative and PA. The study findings suggest that prevention and intervention programs focused on body and eating-related difficulties should promote a more aware and adaptative pattern of eating and body image flexibility, which seems especially relevant to deal with Western societies' body and eating-related paradoxical messages.