Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of intuitive eating and interoceptive awareness on the relationship between appearance appreciation and loss of control over eating. Specifically, we explored the moderated mediating effect of interoceptive awareness on the relationship between appearance appreciation and loss of control over eating through intuitive eating. A total of 316 undergraduate and graduate students completed self-report questionnaires including appearance appreciation, loss of control over eating, intuitive eating, and interoceptive awareness. The results showed that the mediation effect of intuitive eating between appearance appreciation and loss of control over eating was significant, as well as the moderation effect of interoceptive awareness between appearance appreciation and intuitive eating. The effect of appearance appreciation on intuitive eating was different according to the level of interoceptive awareness. Finally, the moderated mediation effect of intuitive eating and interoceptive awareness was significant. These findings suggest that intuitive eating mediates the relationship between appearance appreciation and loss of control over eating, and self-compassion moderates it.