Researchers have uncovered the connection between contact with nature and the attitude to food

A person's attitude to food depends not only on their eating habits, but also on how they perceive their own body and deal with emotions. Researchers have found that contact with nature is associated with more conscious eating behavior and self-acceptance. About how walking and time in nature can be related to the attitude to food — in the material of Izvestia.

How is contact with nature related to healthier eating habits

Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK have discovered a link between contact with nature and intuitive eating. The results of the work are published in the journal Body Image. The study involved 500 UK adults.

The scientists assessed how often the participants noticed nature in their daily lives, how often they visited the natural environment, and how much time they spent there. In addition, the volunteers filled out questionnaires on their own body perception, self-compassion, connection with nature, and eating behavior.

Researchers have found a direct positive relationship between contact with nature and a propensity for this type of diet. At the same time, other factors related to a person's attitude towards himself also played an important role.

How does Accepting your Own Body Affect your Attitude to Food

One of the identified mechanisms is associated with a positive perception of one's own body. According to researchers, contact with nature can help a person feel more comfortable, appreciate the possibilities of their body more, and be more attentive to its needs.

This attitude is associated with a more pronounced tendency to intuitive eating. Instead of focusing solely on external standards of appearance or strict food rules, a person can better listen to their own feelings and needs.

However, the study does not prove that being in nature directly changes eating habits. Scientists have identified statistical links between several indicators and suggested a possible explanation of how they might be related. Additional research is needed to establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

The closer to the forest, the calmer it is: how nature affects our well-being

How self-compassion helps to cope with emotions

The second mechanism is related to self—compassion - the ability to treat oneself with understanding and kindness, including in difficult moments, rather than responding to one's own experiences with excessive criticism. According to the study, closer contact with nature is associated with a higher level of self-compassion, which, in turn, can support intuitive eating.

Researchers suggest that self-compassion helps a person cope with unpleasant thoughts and emotions without resorting to impulsive eating in response to stress. Instead, it may be easier for a person to take into account hunger and satiety signals and choose food based on the physiological needs of the body.

According to the scientist, previous studies have linked contact with the natural environment with a reduction in anxiety and depression, as well as an improvement in various indicators of well-being, including life satisfaction. The new work suggests that the connection with nature may also be related to one's attitude to one's own body and nutrition.

The Inner Darkness: what problems prevent people from living

Why do bad thoughts destroy the psyche and set you up for failure?

Limitations faced by scientists

The authors of the work believe that the results obtained may have practical significance for specialists in the field of public health. A more accessible natural environment and opportunities to interact with it more often can potentially support healthier and more sustainable eating habits.

At the same time, the study was based on data that the participants reported about themselves. Such questionnaires do not always accurately reflect human behavior, and the results of working with British volunteers cannot be automatically transferred to residents of other countries and cultures.

The scientists note that the results should still be considered as initial evidence of a link between contact with nature and eating behavior. Additional research will help to check whether this relationship persists in other population groups and what factors may explain it.