The relationship between intuitive eating and depression level of menopausal women

Aim: The research was conducted to determine the relationship between intuitive eating and depression levels in menopausal women. Material and Method: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted in Malatya Training and Research Hospital, Gynecology and Obstetrics Polyclinic. The sample of the study consisted of 382 women in the menopausal period. Introductory Information Form, Intuitive Eating and Beck Depression Scale were used to collect data. Data were evaluated using number, percentile distribution, mean, minimum and maximum values, standard deviation, t test, Tukey Post Hoc, Tamhane's T2 Test, Levene Test with ANOVA Variance, Pearson Correlation, Linear and Logistic Regression analyzes. Results: It was determined that there was a significant difference between the women's age, education and income status, duration of menopause, perception of menopause and the reason for positive perception, skipped meals, perception of body type and weight assessment and BDI total scores (p<0.05). In the study, it was determined that there was a significant difference (p<0.05) between age, income status, menopause time, number of meals, eating habits in case of sadness/fatigue, eating style, perception of body shape and weight assessment, and İES-2 total scores. The correlation value between the mean BDI total score of menopausal women and the total mean score of İES-2 was found to be negative (p<0.05). Conclusion: The increase in the level of depression in menopausal women in the study, was found to reduce intuitive eating behavior. Keywords: Menopause, Women, Intuitive Eating, Depression Level