Group differences in binge eating, impulsivity, and intuitive and mindful eating among intermittent fasters and...

Intermittent fasting (IF) is an increasingly popular diet involving short-term fasting and/or caloric restriction. While published research highlights physiological effects (e.g., weight, body fat) of IF, hardly any research has examined its associations with psychological factors. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between IF and binge eating, impulsivity, intuitive eating, and mindful eating. An undergraduate sample (N = 298) was recruited through a large southwestern university psychology subject pool. The sample was divided into three groups based on IF status: Current IF (n = 70), Past IF (n = 48), and No IF (n = 182). Current IF was negatively associated with lack of perseverance (e.g., "I generally like to see things through to the end"; p < .01) and intuitive eating (p < .05), varying by subscale, compared to the other groups. Notably, Past-IF, but not Current IF, participants were more likely to binge eat than individuals who reported never fasting (p = .03). These findings add credence to the rapidly developing area of research suggesting IF is associated with increased disordered eating behaviors. Notably, the findings from this study are limited due to the lack of diversity sample, such that generalizations can only be made toward White, middle-to-high income, college students. Future longitudinal studies are needed to test the directionality of these relationships.