Randomized test of an implementation intention-based tool to reduce stress-induced eating

Area of Science:

• Behavioral science
• Health psychology
• Nutrition science

Background:

• Stress can negatively impact diet, potentially contributing to diseases like cardiovascular disease and cancer.
• Dietary changes due to stress often involve unhealthy food choices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a stress management support (SMS) tool's efficacy.
• To determine if the SMS tool can reduce stress-related unhealthy snacking.
• To assess if the SMS tool promotes stress-related healthy snacking.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial comparing an SMS tool with and without a linking instruction.
• Participants (experimental group) linked stressful situations with healthy snack alternatives.
• Daily online self-reports of stressors and snacking behaviors over seven days.

Main Results:

• In the control group, daily stressors correlated with unhealthy snack consumption.
• This association between stressors and unhealthy snacks was absent in the experimental group.
• Highly motivated participants in the experimental group consumed more healthy snacks on stressful days.

Conclusions:

• The SMS tool is an effective, theory-driven intervention.
• It helps mitigate stress-induced unhealthy snacking.
• The tool supports healthier dietary choices during stressful periods.