"I have to listen to whichever part of the body makes sense”: A qualitative study of intuitive eating in autistic/AuDHD people

Highlights

Objective

Intuitive eating, an adaptive approach to eating that involves listening
to and trusting the body’s internal cues, has been identified as an
effective strategy for fostering a positive body image and enhancing
physical and mental well-being. While body image scholars have
extensively explored intuitive eating among the general population,
extant theory and practice have yet to consider the neurodivergent
community, specifically autistic/AuDHD people (autistic and have ADHD).
To address this, we explored how autistic/AuDHD people understand and
experience intuitive eating, and their perceived barriers and
facilitators to eating more intuitively.

Method

Using a lived-experience-led qualitative framework, we conducted
one-to-one semi-structured interviews among 20 autistic/AuDHD adults
(nine female-identifying, eight male-identifying, and three identifying
as non-binary; aged 21–63 years) from the United Kingdom.

Results

Through reflexive thematic analysis, we identified three superordinate
themes that reflect body- and eating-related experiences: (Re)defining
intuitive eating, disruptions to intuitive eating, and reframing and
supporting intuitive eating. Critically, we identified four sub-themes
that reflect the core components of autistic/AuDHD people’s intuitive
eating: (1) unconditional permission to eat; (2) eating for physical,
emotional, and sensory reasons; (3) relying on internal and external
cues; and (4) autistic/AuDHD body-food choice congruence.

Conclusions

While some aspects of intuitive eating are consistent with those found
in the general population, there are crucial nuances in how
autistic/AuDHD people experience and adopt strategies to eat
intuitively. Further research is needed to enhance the applicability of
intuitive eating for promoting a healthier body image and eating
well-being in the wider autistic/AuDHD population.