The new approach to the weight management: interrelatedness of intuitive eating, Adlerian lifestyle and body mass index among Lithuanian female computer users

ENPurpose – to evaluate the importance of Intuitive Eating for healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) in Lithuanian female computer users sample and explore the Adlerian personality attributes that might be related to the Intuitive Eating. Design/methodology/approach – The study consisted of 724 Lithuanian woman with normal or increased BMI who completed online instruments that included the Lithuanian version of the Basic Adlerian Scales of Interpersonal Success - Adult form (BASIS-A) Inventory, Lithuanian version of Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2) and questions that assessed height, weight, and behavioral variables such as healthy eating and weight controlling activities. Findings – The results indicated the significant negative relation between Intuitive Eating and BMI. Almost all the subscales of Intuitive eating were positively related to healthy eating and negatively to weight controlling behaviour. Eating for physical rather than emotional reasons and Reliance on the Hunger and Satiety feelings were found as more significant in the prognostic model of BMI than healthy eating. Some of the Adlerian personality attributes including Belonging/Social Interest, Going Along, Striving for perfection and Softness were positively related to Intuitive Eating. However two personality attributes including Being Cautious and Harshness had an inverse relation with Intuitive Eating scale.Research limitations/implications – Although the online data collection procedures are supported in the scientific literature, the same study with pen and pencil data collection in groups would increase the possibility to generalize the findings. Men should be included in the research sample too in order to explore the gender differences in relation to Intuitive Eating in Lithuania sample. Moreover the longitudinal study would be of benefit for the possibility to predict the weight change in relation to various behaviours. Practical implications – Intuitive Eating seems to be a good choice for women struggling with weight issue. However more attention to the healthy eating behaviour should be paid. Moreover consultant would benefit with the evaluation of the personality dynamic that might increase the possibility of successful weight management. Originality/Value – Additional value of this study included support for the new instrument (EIS-2) to measure Intuitive eating in Lithuanian sample.