Comparison of Intuitive Eating Behaviour, Eating Addiction and Nutritional Knowledge Level in Individuals Receiving Online and Face-to-Face Nutrition Counselling

Aim: This study compares the level of nutritional knowledge, eating addiction, and intuitive eating behaviors in individuals receiving online and face-to-face nutrition counseling. Method: This cross-sectional, descriptive research was conducted with 51 online and 51 face-to-face counselees who applied to the nutrition and counseling center in İstanbul for 12 weeks. The demographic characteristic information, Intuitive Eating Scale (IES-2), Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS), and Nutrition Knowledge Level Scale for Adults (NKLSA) were recorded, and anthropometric measurements were taken. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS-27. Results: 12 weeks of nutritional counseling resulted in a decrease in anthropometric measurements in both groups (p<0.05). Also, statistically significant improvement was observed in IES-2 and YFAS scores for both groups; however, no change was observed in NKLSA. There was no difference between the groups (p>0.05). A negative correlation was found between IES-2 and YFAS subscales in the face-to-face group (s:-0.162). Conclusion: Both online and face-to-face nutrition counseling methods have similar effects on weight loss, increasing intuitive eating, and reducing eating addiction. Also, an intuitive eating approach can be recommended to control eating addiction. Future studies should focus on the effect of nutrition counseling on lasting behavior changes with longer-term interventions.