Changes in mindful eating and eating behaviors among female university students taking nutrition courses

Abstract Background This research aimed to investigate the impact of a structured nutrition education program on the dietary behaviours and mindful eating practices of university students. Given that the university phase is critical for developing healthy lifestyle choices, such initiatives show an important opportunity for public health improvement. Methods A comparative quasi-experimental design was utilized, featuring both experimental and control groups exclusively comprising female students. The experimental group participated in a 14-week structured nutrition education program that integrated interdisciplinary content. The curriculum covered fundamental nutrition concepts, nutritional needs throughout different life stages, physical activity, food science, and principles of healthy eating behaviors. Each session reinforced behavioral awareness through discussions of relevant scientific literature. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted. Results At the conclusion of the program, the total score on the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) within the experimental group declined from 2.85 to 2.44; specifically, scores for external eating fell from 2.81 to 2.29, and emotional eating scores decreased from 3.18 to 2.59—each showing statistically significant reductions ( p 0.05). Conclusions A structured 14-week nutrition education program was associated with improved mindful eating and lower emotional, external, and restrained eating scores among female university students These findings underscore the positive transformations stemming from increased cognitive awareness, particularly regarding external and emotional eating tendencies. Nutrition interventions at universities appear to be an effective strategy for promoting both individual well-being and community health. Furthermore, these results highlight that effective nutrition education empowers individuals to integrate their knowledge into everyday practices. Therefore, it is essential to implement evidence-based methods and resources for nutrition education across all age groups and backgrounds. Graphical Abstract