A study led by Anglia Ruskin University and published in the journal Body Image has provided the first evidence that exposure to nature can influence people’s relationship with food. The research involved 500 UK adults who were assessed on their levels of contact with the natural world, including how frequently and for how long they spent time in natural environments.
Participants also completed surveys measuring body image, self-compassion, connectedness to nature, and intuitive eating. Intuitive eating is an anti-dieting approach that encourages listening to the body’s internal signals rather than adhering to strict eating rules.
The study revealed a direct positive relationship between nature contact and intuitive eating. Further analysis indicated that this connection is strengthened through other factors. One pathway showed that nature contact enhances intuitive eating by fostering higher levels of body appreciation, potentially making individuals more comfortable with their bodies and responsive to their needs.
Another pathway highlighted the role of self-compassion. Increased nature contact appears to promote self-compassion, which researchers believe acts as a buffer against impulsive eating triggered by difficult thoughts or emotions. This, in turn, may encourage individuals to follow their body’s signals and select foods that better meet their physiological requirements.
“"These findings are important because they provide the first evidence that contact with nature may shape people’s eating habits. We already know that contact with natural environments can reduce anxiety and depression and improve various measures of wellbeing, including life satisfaction. Our new study is the first to show how it can influence our eating habits, thanks to helping people develop more positive relationships with their bodies and greater self-compassion, and these findings could have practical benefits for public health professionals."
Lead author Viren Swami, Professor of Social Psychology at Anglia Ruskin University, acknowledged the study's limitations, particularly its reliance on self-reported data, and noted the need for further studies in other countries. However, he stated, “these initial results suggest that greater access to and engagement with nature could support efforts to promote healthier, more sustainable eating behaviours.”
