Intuitive Eating and Biomarkers Related to Cardiovascular Disease in Older Adults

Examine whether exercise and diet motivation are associated with 4 biomarkers related to cardiovascular disease.

Cross-sectional analysis. Data collection involved questionnaires, blood draws, body composition assessments, and accelerometry.

Small, midwestern college town.

Community older adults (≥ 58 years of age; n = 79) recruited through convenience sampling; the sample was representative of the population of interest for some demographic characteristics (eg, age and sex) but not representative of other characteristics (eg, level of activity).

Independent variables comprised self-reported intrinsic exercise motivation (Behavioral Regulation for Exercise Questionnaire-3) and intuitive eating (Intuitive Eating Scale-2). Dependent variables included inflammatory proteins (C-reactive protein and interleukin-6) and lipid levels (low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein and triglycerides) quantified from blood samples. Covariates included age, body mass index, sex, and objective physical activity measured by accelerometers worn for 7 days.

Multiple linear regression was used to assess the association between diet and exercise motivation and biomarker outcomes; we analyzed 4 regression models (1 for each biomarker). Significance level P < 0.05.

Greater intuitive eating was associated with a lower low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratio (β = -0.45, P = 0.001) and lower triglycerides (β = -0.37, P = 0.003). Intrinsic exercise motivation was not associated with the biomarkers.

Intuitive eating may be a key determinant of certain biomarkers and could be a viable target for interventions to help decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease among older adults.