Training self-regulation to promote healthy eating: Evidence from a longitudinal intervention study

Abstract

Previous theorizing suggests that self-regulatory strategies in the appetitive domain may be variably effective, but few studies have directly examined the causal impact these strategies may have in altering daily eating behaviors. Participants (N = 360) were trained to use one of two classes of regulatory strategies—situation-based strategies or cognitive reappraisal—and were instructed to apply these strategies to either healthy or unhealthy foods. All participants’ eating behaviors were assessed longitudinally: during the first two weeks post-training (short-term effects) and up to two months later (long-term effects). Results partly supported preregistered hypotheses, indicating that training in either strategy (vs. no training) was generally effective in promoting healthy eating—as indexed by greater craving for healthy foods, more resistance to unhealthy foods, and less consumption of unhealthy foods. There were also transfer effects, with training targeting healthy foods leading to greater resistance to unhealthy foods over time, while training targeting unhealthy foods resulted in stronger craving and consumption of healthy foods. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of both situational strategies and cognitive reappraisal for influencing healthier eating, highlighting the potential for both immediate and lasting benefits, as well as unexpected transfer effects.