The connection between nutrition education, behavior, and body composition in women following the Mediterranean diet: a sustainable approach.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the relationship between sustainable healthy eating behaviors and body composition in women who received sustainable nutrition education. METHODS: The study was conducted with women aged 20–49 years attending a Nutrition and Diet Counseling Center. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group, which participated in an 8-week sustainable nutrition education program delivered biweekly by a dietitian face-to-face, or a control group, which received traditional nutrition education throughout the study. Demographic data were collected at the beginning of the study. The Sustainable Eating Behavior Scale, which assesses sustainable eating behaviors, was collected at the beginning of the study and again at the end of the 8-week period, while anthropometric measurements were taken at the beginning and in the 4th and 8th weeks. RESULTS: There is no statistical difference between the demographic and clinical characteristics of the two groups (p > 0.05). Significant decreases in weight, Body Mass Index, percent body fat, body fat mass, body muscle mass, and waist circumference were observed within the intervention and control groups over time (p < 0.001). The intervention group experienced greater mean decreases in weight, BMI, percent body fat, body fat mass, and waist circumference compared to the control group during the intervention period. Group-time interaction effects were found to be significant for body weight (F = 3.723, p = 0.027, η²=0.058) and BMI (F = 3.492, p = 0.034, η²=0.055). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that sustainable nutrition education can positively contribute to both sustainable eating behaviors and anthropometric parameters, highlighting its potential value in promoting healthier and more environmentally friendly dietary patterns. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Registration number: NCT07247578, Registered on 15 November 2025). URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07247578 .