Are dietary interventions with a behaviour change theoretical framework effective in changing dietary patterns? A...

Area of Science:

• Public Health and Nutrition
• Behavioral Science
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Whole dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, are linked to reduced non-communicable disease risk.
• Social Cognition Models offer a framework for understanding and modifying dietary behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the effectiveness of psychological theory in dietary interventions.
• To assess the application of Social Cognition Models in promoting whole dietary patterns.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of randomized and non-randomized trials using Embase, Medline, PsycInfo, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases.
• Inclusion criteria focused on interventions implementing whole dietary patterns guided by Social Cognition Models.
• Data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two independent reviewers using established checklists.

Main Results:

• Nine intervention studies were included, with some showing improvements in individual food group scores.
• Moderate application of psychological theory was observed, but reporting on intervention fidelity was generally poor.
• Effectiveness of psychological theory in promoting whole dietary patterns yielded mixed results across studies.

Conclusions:

• This is the first review to focus on psychological theory-driven interventions for whole dietary patterns.
• Inconsistent application of theory and inadequate reporting on fidelity may impact intervention effectiveness.
• Further research is required to identify optimal behavior change theories and techniques for dietary interventions.