{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,2]],"date-time":"2026-05-02T21:30:18Z","timestamp":1777757418113,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":48,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"9","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,29]],"date-time":"2026-04-29T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1777420800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Nutrients"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background\/Objectives: Dieting is a widespread behavior that is associated with psychological distress, body dissatisfaction, and eating disorders. Recent research suggests that a body-positive attitude and mindful approach to eating may influence individuals\u2019 experiences with dieting; however, their combined role has been insufficiently explored. Methods: A two-phase study was conducted among voluntary adults using online data collection. In Phase 1, a cross-sectional survey was completed by 180 participants (71.7% women), assessing dieting behavior, body appreciation, nutritional awareness, psychological distress, well-being, and eating disorders. Correlation analyses, group comparisons, and regression models were performed. In Phase 2, 90 participants entered the pilot and received a brief psychoeducational digital material promoting mindful eating and positive body image. The follow-up assessment was completed by 59, after one month of engagement. Results: Body appreciation and nutritional awareness were positively associated with mental well-being and inversely related to psychological distress (p &lt; 0.001 for all) and to eating disorder screening scores (p &lt; 0.001 and p = 0.046, respectively). More frequent dieting was associated with lower body appreciation (p &lt; 0.001). According to the observed pattern of correlations, body appreciation may play a role in the relationship between dieting and psychological distress. In the intervention phase, greater engagement with the psychoeducational material was associated with higher reported levels of nutritional awareness (p = 0.003) and greater perceived body awareness (p = 0.026) at follow-up; however, due to the exploratory design, findings are preliminary. Conclusions: The results suggest that dieting, as a behavior, may be embedded in broader psychological processes that include body-related attitudes and nutritional awareness. Taking these factors into account may have potential implications for preventive measures aimed at promoting healthier dietary habits, a more positive relationship with one\u2019s body, and mental well-being.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/nu18091405","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,29]],"date-time":"2026-04-29T12:31:56Z","timestamp":1777465916000},"page":"1405","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["The Psychological Dimensions of Dieting: A Two-Phase Study on Body Appreciation, Nutritional Awareness and Mental Well-Being"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"18","author":[{"given":"Paula Sophia","family":"Cozma","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of T\u00e2rgu Mure\u0219, 540142 T\u00e2rgu Mure\u0219, Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0008-8319-8134","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"L\u00f3r\u00e1nd","family":"D\u00e9nes","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of T\u00e2rgu Mure\u0219, 540142 T\u00e2rgu Mure\u0219, Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6655-5987","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Zsuzs\u00e1nna","family":"Simon-Szab\u00f3","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Pathophysiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of T\u00e2rgu Mure\u0219, 540142 T\u00e2rgu Mure\u0219, Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,29]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"911","DOI":"10.1007\/s00038-017-0948-7","article-title":"Prevalence of Dieting and Fear of Weight Gain across Ages: A Community Sample from Adolescents to the Elderly","volume":"62","author":"Bartels","year":"2017","journal-title":"Int. J. Public Health"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"185","DOI":"10.1023\/B:JOBM.0000019851.37389.a7","article-title":"Appearance Versus Health: Does the Reason for Dieting Affect Dieting Behavior?","volume":"27","author":"Putterman","year":"2004","journal-title":"J. Behav. Med."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1375","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jand.2021.08.106","article-title":"Dietary Approaches and Health Outcomes: An Evidence Analysis Center Scoping Review","volume":"122","author":"Handu","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Acad. Nutr. Diet."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Stok, F.M., Renner, B., Allan, J., Boeing, H., Ensenauer, R., Issanchou, S., Kiesswetter, E., Lien, N., Mazzocchi, M., and Monsivais, P. (2018). Dietary Behavior: An Interdisciplinary Conceptual Analysis and Taxonomy. Front. Psychol., 9.","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2018.01689"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4","DOI":"10.1016\/j.appet.2017.05.041","article-title":"Executive Functions and the Self-Regulation of Eating Behavior: A Review","volume":"124","author":"Dohle","year":"2018","journal-title":"Appetite"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"93","DOI":"10.1177\/02601060221090696","article-title":"Associations between Body Image, Eating Behavior, and Diet Quality","volume":"30","author":"Jackson","year":"2024","journal-title":"Nutr. Health"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"231","DOI":"10.4103\/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_707_23","article-title":"Concept of Mental Health and Mental Well-Being, It\u2019s Determinants and coping Strategies","volume":"66","author":"Gautam","year":"2024","journal-title":"Indian J. Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"104954","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neubiorev.2022.104954","article-title":"Psychological Distress and Metabolomic Markers: A Systematic Review of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, and Subclinical Distress","volume":"143","author":"Zhu","year":"2022","journal-title":"Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lo Dato, E., Gostoli, S., and Tomba, E. (2025). Psychological Well-Being and Dysfunctional Eating Styles as Key Moderators of Sustainable Eating Behaviors: Mind the Gap Between Intention and Action. Nutrients, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu17152391"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1141","DOI":"10.1111\/jcpp.12441","article-title":"Research Review: What We Have Learned about the Causes of Eating Disorders\u2014A Synthesis of Sociocultural, Psychological, and Biological Research","volume":"56","author":"Culbert","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Child. Psychol. Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mahon, C., and Seekis, V. (2022). Systematic Review of Digital Interventions for Adolescent and Young Adult Women\u2019s Body Image. Front. Glob. Womens Health, 3.","DOI":"10.3389\/fgwh.2022.832805"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"287","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bodyim.2022.07.003","article-title":"Body Appreciation and Its Psychological Correlates: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis","volume":"42","author":"Linardon","year":"2022","journal-title":"Body Image"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"53","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bodyim.2014.09.006","article-title":"The Body Appreciation Scale-2: Item Refinement and Psychometric Evaluation","volume":"12","author":"Tylka","year":"2015","journal-title":"Body Image"},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Pehlivan, M., Denk\u00e7i, N., Pehlivan, R., \u00c7ak\u0131r, M.A., and Mercan, Y. (2025). The Relationship between Body Image and Nutritional Behaviors in Adult Individuals. PLoS ONE, 20.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0320408"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Barnes, M., Abhyankar, P., Dimova, E., and Best, C. (2020). Associations between Body Dissatisfaction and Self-Reported Anxiety and Depression in Otherwise Healthy Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS ONE, 15.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0229268"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1447","DOI":"10.1017\/S0954579417001663","article-title":"Bidirectional Associations between Body Dissatisfaction and Depressive Symptoms from Adolescence through Early Adulthood","volume":"30","author":"Sharpe","year":"2018","journal-title":"Dev. Psychopathol."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"67","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bodyim.2015.01.002","article-title":"Associations between Positive Body Image and Indicators of Men\u2019s and Women\u2019s Mental and Physical Health","volume":"13","author":"Gillen","year":"2015","journal-title":"Body Image"},{"key":"ref_18","first-page":"26","article-title":"What Is Eating Awareness? A Review","volume":"5","author":"Bir","year":"2025","journal-title":"Aksaray Univ. J. Med. Sci."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"272","DOI":"10.1017\/S0954422417000154","article-title":"A Structured Literature Review on the Role of Mindfulness, Mindful Eating and Intuitive Eating in Changing Eating Behaviours: Effectiveness and Associated Potential Mechanisms","volume":"30","author":"Warren","year":"2017","journal-title":"Nutr. Res. Rev."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Cemali, \u00d6., Elmas, \u00d6., and Cemali, M. (2025). Relationship between Eating Awareness, Physical Fitness, and Body Composition in Community-Living Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. BMC Public Health, 25.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-025-25601-z"},{"key":"ref_21","first-page":"3507","article-title":"Nutritional Awareness and Its Influence on Food Choices among Pre-Service Teachers of MMSU-CTE","volume":"11","author":"Sarabia","year":"2025","journal-title":"Int. J. Res. Innov. Soc. Sci."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Maycroft, H., Philippou, E., Demetriou, C.A., Hebbard, J.C., Andreou, E., Quattrocchi, A., Andreou, P., Papageorgiou, A., Kolokotroni, O., and Nicolaou, C. (2026). Exploring Effective Strategies: A Narrative Review of Psychoeducational Interventions to Improve Dietary and Physical Activity Behaviors. Nutr. Rev., nuaf262.","DOI":"10.1093\/nutrit\/nuaf262"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chen, Y., Perez-Cueto, F.J.A., Giboreau, A., Mavridis, I., and Hartwell, H. (2020). The Promotion of Eating Behaviour Change through Digital Interventions. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph17207488"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jim\u00e9nez-Morcillo, J., Ramos-Campo, D.J., Rodr\u00edguez-Besteiro, S., and Clemente-Su\u00e1rez, V.J. (2024). The Association of Body Image Perceptions with Behavioral and Health Outcomes among Young Adults. Nutrients, 16.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu16091281"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Himmerich, H., and Mirzaei, K. (2024). Body Image, Nutrition, and Mental Health. Nutrients, 16.","DOI":"10.3390\/books978-3-7258-1304-9"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"104","DOI":"10.1093\/nutrit\/nuad044","article-title":"Body Image and Dietary Habits in Adolescents: A Systematic Review","volume":"82","author":"Bodega","year":"2024","journal-title":"Nutr. Rev."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Obeid, S., Hemade, A., Malaeb, D., Sakr, F., Dabbous, M., Xu, J., Ying, Y., Jiang, C., Meng, R., and Fekih-Romdhane, F. (2024). Psychometric Properties of the Ultra-Brief Self-Report Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) to Assess Anxiety and Depression in Arabic-Speaking Adults. BMC Psychiatry, 24.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12888-024-05978-8"},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"457","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apnu.2016.01.014","article-title":"The Psychometric Properties of PHQ-4 Depression and Anxiety Screening Scale Among College Students","volume":"30","author":"Khubchandani","year":"2016","journal-title":"Arch. Psychiatr. Nurs."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"167","DOI":"10.1159\/000376585","article-title":"The WHO-5 Well-Being Index: A Systematic Review of the Literature","volume":"84","author":"Topp","year":"2015","journal-title":"Psychother. Psychosom."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lara-Cabrera, M.L., Betancort, M., Mu\u00f1oz-Rubilar, A., Rodr\u00edguez-Novo, N., Bjerkeset, O., and De Las Cuevas, C. (2022). Psychometric Properties of the WHO-5 Well-Being Index among Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in Three Countries. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 19.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph191610106"},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1467","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.319.7223.1467","article-title":"The SCOFF Questionnaire: Assessment of a New Screening for Eating Disorders","volume":"319","year":"1999","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"29","DOI":"10.1007\/s40519-024-01656-6","article-title":"The Use and Misuse of the SCOFF Screening Measure over Two Decades: A Systematic Literature Review","volume":"29","author":"Coop","year":"2024","journal-title":"Eat. Weight Disord."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2278289","DOI":"10.1080\/21642850.2023.2278289","article-title":"Factors Associated with Positive Body Image among Palestinian University Female Students, Cross-Sectional Study","volume":"11","author":"Badrasawi","year":"2023","journal-title":"Health Psychol. Behav. Med."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"10","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bodyim.2020.03.006","article-title":"The Association between Body Appreciation and Body Mass Index among Males and Females: A Meta-Analysis","volume":"34","author":"He","year":"2020","journal-title":"Body Image"},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"16","DOI":"10.1007\/s40519-024-01642-y","article-title":"Cognitive Restraint, Uncontrolled Eating, and Emotional Eating. The Italian Version of the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire-Revised 18 (TFEQ-R-18): A Three-Step Validation Study","volume":"29","author":"Rossi","year":"2024","journal-title":"Eat. Weight Disord."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1509","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-025-31103-0","article-title":"Health Literacy Relates to Self-Regulation of Eating Behavior through Physical Activity and Self-Efficacy Pathways","volume":"16","author":"Lu","year":"2026","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"325","DOI":"10.1177\/1745691612447309","article-title":"Self-Determination Theory Applied to Health Contexts: A Meta-Analysis","volume":"7","author":"Ng","year":"2012","journal-title":"Perspect. Psychol. Sci."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"197","DOI":"10.1016\/j.beth.2010.07.003","article-title":"An Ecological Momentary Assessment of the Effects of Weight and Shape Social Comparisons on Women with Eating Pathology, High Body Dissatisfaction, and Low Body Dissatisfaction","volume":"42","author":"Leahey","year":"2011","journal-title":"Behav. Ther."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"626","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jpsychires.2010.10.008","article-title":"The Role and Interpretation of Pilot Studies in Clinical Research","volume":"45","author":"Leon","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Psychiatr. Res."},{"key":"ref_40","unstructured":"World Health Organization (1946). Constitution of the World Health Organization, World Health Organization."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"227","DOI":"10.1207\/S15327965PLI1104_01","article-title":"The \u201cWhat\u201d and \u201cWhy\u201d of Goal Pursuits: Human Needs and the Self-Determination of Behavior","volume":"11","author":"Deci","year":"2000","journal-title":"Psychol. Inq."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e22","DOI":"10.1017\/jns.2022.12","article-title":"Clustering of Motivational Constructs Based on Self-Determination Theory for Diet and Physical Activity and Their Associations with Behaviour: A Cross-Sectional Study","volume":"11","author":"Coumans","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Nutr. Sci."},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"924","DOI":"10.12968\/bjon.2016.25.16.924","article-title":"Using Health Psychology to Help: Theories of Behaviour Change","volume":"25","author":"Barley","year":"2016","journal-title":"Br. J. Nurs."},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"32","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pec.2011.07.018","article-title":"Goal Setting as a Health Behavior Change Strategy in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Systematic Literature Review Examining Intervention Components","volume":"87","author":"Pearson","year":"2011","journal-title":"Patient Educ. Couns."},{"key":"ref_45","first-page":"E93","article-title":"Main Nutritional Deficiencies","volume":"63","author":"Kiani","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Prev. Med. Hyg."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"105039","DOI":"10.1016\/j.appet.2020.105039","article-title":"Getting a Deeper Understanding of Mindfulness in the Context of Eating Behavior: Development and Validation of the Mindful Eating Inventory","volume":"159","author":"Peitz","year":"2021","journal-title":"Appetite"},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"14","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bodyim.2018.01.008","article-title":"Development and Exploration of the Gratitude Model of Body Appreciation in Women","volume":"25","author":"Homan","year":"2018","journal-title":"Body Image"},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"333","DOI":"10.1146\/annurev-psych-010213-115137","article-title":"The Psychology of Change: Self-Affirmation and Social Psychological Intervention","volume":"65","author":"Cohen","year":"2014","journal-title":"Annu. Rev. Psychol."}],"container-title":["Nutrients"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-6643\/18\/9\/1405\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,29]],"date-time":"2026-04-29T12:46:54Z","timestamp":1777466814000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-6643\/18\/9\/1405"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,29]]},"references-count":48,"journal-issue":{"issue":"9","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,5]]}},"alternative-id":["nu18091405"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/nu18091405","relation":{},"ISSN":["2072-6643"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2072-6643","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,29]]}}}