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Psychological (Self-)Regulation and Healthy Behavior Promotion

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Behavior, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 28239

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Paula Magalhães

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Guest Editor

School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Interests: self-regulation; narrative-based programs; motivational-related variables; healthy eating promotion; eHealth; online-based interventions; gamification strategies; healthy diet procrastination; exercise procrastination; sleep procrastination

Dr. Cátia Silva

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Guest Editor

School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Interests: childhood obesity; obesity prevention; health-promoting behaviors; self-regulation; eHealth; eating behaviors; online-based interventions; behavioral change; narrative-based programs; motivational-related variables

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

For the first time in history, it is anticipated that life expectancy with quality will decrease within the coming generations. Despite the scientific and technological advances for curing and eradicating life-threatening diseases, other diseases are emerging at a fast pace. Unhealthy behaviors, such as poor diet quality, inadequate physical activity or smoking, are among many that increase the risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. The challenge with some of these health conditions is that the solution to mitigate them may not rely on the medical side of the chain, but on the individual via modifiable factors and behavioral changes. Healthy behavior promotion, therefore, is key to address one of the biggest challenges of the century: guarantee that the lives of individuals are lived to their full potential. Health behavior promotion by instigating individuals’ self-regulation and agency is a promising avenue for future intervention. Although individuals may be influenced and regulated by external factors and agents, exclusively relying on external regulation does not allow the individual to develop adaptive competences and skills, such as choosing a healthy snack or quitting smoking. Thus, evidence is needed on innovative and ingenious ways to promote health behaviors through psychological (self-)regulation.

This Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) focuses on the psychological aspects of (self-)regulation for health behaviors and on how these can be promoted. New research papers, reviews, and case reports are welcome to this issue. Papers dealing with new approaches to promote health behaviors, including other manuscript types (e.g., methodological papers, position papers, brief reports, and commentaries), are also welcome. We will accept manuscripts from different disciplines, such as psychology, public health, and nutrition.

Dr. Paula Magalhães
Dr. Cátia Silva
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

psychological (self-)regulation
healthy behavior promotion
healthy eating promotion
physical activity promotion
mental health
self-regulation
health behavior

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 672 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Moderating Role of Self-Care Behaviors in Personal Care Aides of Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by M. Graça Pereira, Ana Filipa Gonçalves and Laura Brito

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 5177; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20065177 - 15 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1452

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges and work changes for formal caregivers such as personal care aides with an impact on their quality of life (QoL). This cross-sectional study aims to analyze the relationships and contribution of sociodemographic and psychological variables towards QoL including the moderating role of self-care. This study included 127 formal caregivers from Portugal who were assessed on depression, anxiety and stress (DASS-21); professional self-care (SCAP); quality of life (SF-12); COVID-19 traumatic stress (COVID-19TSC) and preventive COVID-19 infection behaviors (PCOVID-19 IBS). Professional self-care was positively associated with QoL and also moderated the relationship between distress and QoL (p < 0.001). According to results, nursing homes should provide formal caregivers, such as personal care aides, with the professional support they need in order to promote their QoL and prevent burnout. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological (Self-)Regulation and Healthy Behavior Promotion)

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16 pages, 385 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Parenting in Cerebral Palsy: Understanding the Perceived Challenges and Needs Faced by Parents of Elementary School Children

by Ana Guimarães, Armanda Pereira, André Oliveira, Sílvia Lopes, Ana Rita Nunes, Cleia Zanatta and Pedro Rosário

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 3811; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20053811 - 21 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2121

Abstract

Cerebral palsy (CP) can be considered the most frequent childhood physical disorder. The severity and type of dysfunction depend on the brain injury. Movement and posture are the most affected areas. CP is a lifelong condition, and parenting a child with this disorder brings additional challenges (e.g., dealing with grief) and needs (e.g., information). Identifying and characterizing their challenges and needs are pivotal to enrich the knowledge in this field and help draw more suitable support for parents. Interviews with 11 parents of children with CP attending elementary school were conducted. The discourse was transcribed, and a thematic analysis was performed. Three themes emerged from the data: (i) challenges of parenting a child with CP (e.g., internal challenges), (ii) crucial needs for parents to cope with a child with CP (e.g., information), and (iii) the intersection between challenges and needs of parents of children with CP (e.g., unawareness). Regarding the challenges and needs characterization, lifespan was the most frequent period of child development, and the microsystem was the context of life most reported. The findings may inform the design of educational and remediation interventions to support families of children with CP attending elementary school. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological (Self-)Regulation and Healthy Behavior Promotion)

14 pages, 1297 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in Physical Fitness Parameters in a Portuguese Sample of Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A One-Year Longitudinal Study

by Cátia Silva, Catarina Vilas, Beatriz Pereira, Pedro Rosário, Sonia Fuentes and Paula Magalhães

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3422; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043422 - 15 Feb 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1403

Abstract

Due to a worldwide response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many changes were imposed on individuals’ daily lives, including those related to the physical activity of children and adolescents. The present study aims to comprehend the impact of early COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on Portuguese adolescents’ physical fitness parameters during two school years. A total of 640 students from the 5th to the 12th grades participated in the longitudinal study. Data on body composition, aerobic fitness, speed, agility, lower and upper body strength, and flexibility were collected at three moments: 1. before the COVID-19 pandemic (December 2019); 2. after the COVID-19 lockdown when the schools reopened delivering in-person classes (October 2020), and 3. two months after the in-person classes started (December 2020). To analyze the overall changes between the three moments and between two age groups, we conducted repeated measure ANOVAs. The main findings indicate that participants’ body composition (i.e., waist circumference) and aerobic fitness (i.e., maximal oxygen uptake) deteriorated after the first lockdown but improved two months after the in-person classes started. However, the same did not happen to neuromuscular fitness (i.e., horizontal Jumps and Sit and Reach). These findings suggest that the COVID-19 lockdown may have negatively impacted adolescents’ physical fitness, particularly older adolescents. Altogether, data reinforce the importance of in-person classes and school context in promoting adolescents’ physical health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological (Self-)Regulation and Healthy Behavior Promotion)

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19 pages, 1989 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in Student’s Breakfast and Snack Consumption during the Second COVID-19 Lockdown in Portugal: A Five-Wave Study

by Paula Magalhães, Beatriz Pereira, Francisco Garcia, Catarina Vilas, Tânia Moreira and Pedro Rosário

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3034; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043034 - 09 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2476

Abstract

The circumstances of the COVID-19 lockdown affected many students’ life spheres, including their feeding patterns and snack intake. The main goals of the present study were to: (a) analyze the changes in students’ breakfast and snacking consumption during lockdown, and (b) analyze changes in the content of the students’ snacks using the Healthy Eating Index. This study analyzed data from a sample of 726 students from 36 classes from the late elementary (i.e., fifth grade) through high school (i.e., twelfth grade) from two public schools in the north of Portugal. Data were collected in five moments during the 2020/2021 school year, pre-, during, and post-second lockdown moments. Throughout the five moments, almost 90% of the students ate breakfast, and the majority brought snacks from home to eat in school. Surprisingly, there was an increase in the quality of the snacks consumed during lockdown compared to the pre-lockdown moments (e.g., consumption of more whole and total fruits and less consumption of food with added sugar, saturated fats, refined grains, and fatty acids). Suggestions for healthy behavior promotion will be discussed, such as improving the school food environment and teaching children to prepare healthy lunch boxes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological (Self-)Regulation and Healthy Behavior Promotion)

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11 pages, 361 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Self-Efficacy to Regulate Eating Behaviors Scale for Children: A Validation Study

by Cátia Silva, Beatriz Pereira, Gabriela Figueiredo, Pedro Rosário, José Carlos Núñez and Paula Magalhães

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 2807; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20042807 - 04 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1890

Abstract

Self-efficacy has a strong influence on children’s eating behavior. Feeling capable of regulating one’s eating behavior is especially relevant in situations of activation while facing temptations or experiencing negative emotions. Despite the relevance, there is no validated measure to assess children’s self-efficacy to regulate eating behaviors in these domains. The present study examines the psychometric properties of the Self-Efficacy to Regulate Eating Behaviors Scale for Children based on a sample of 724 elementary school children in Portugal. The sample was split randomly into two groups, and a principal component analysis with Group 1 and a confirmatory factor analysis with Group 2 were carried out. The scale comprises two distinct but related factors—self-efficacy to regulate eating behaviors in activation and temptation situations and self-efficacy to regulate eating behaviors in negative emotional situations. Moreover, self-efficacy to regulate eating behaviors was positively and statistically related to self-regulation processes toward healthy eating, declarative knowledge about healthy eating, and attitudes and perceptions toward healthy eating. The present study provides preliminary evidence that the Self-Efficacy to Regulate Eating Behaviors Scale for Children is valid and reliable for evaluating children’s self-efficacy in regulating their eating behaviors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological (Self-)Regulation and Healthy Behavior Promotion)

14 pages, 1396 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Coping as a Mediator and Moderator between Psychological Distress and Disordered Eating Behaviors and Weight Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Bárbara Cesar Machado, Célia S. Moreira, Marta Correia, Elisa Veiga and Sónia Gonçalves

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2504; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032504 - 31 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1545

Abstract

Previous research has already shown the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on college students’ well-being and mental health. Eating problems and weight gain due to changes in eating habits and physical activity experienced during this period have also been noticed. However, few studies have explored the role of students’ resources as used during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as coping strategies. This study aimed to (1) explore the associations among psychological distress, disordered eating, coping strategies, and weight changes; (2) examine the moderating role of coping strategies in the process of weight gain and weight loss; and (3) study the mediating role of coping strategies in the process of weight gain and weight loss. The participants in this study were 772 students at a Portuguese university. The data collected included sociodemographic data and three self-reported questionnaires (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale; Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire; Brief COPE) during the first few months of the pandemic, which included a 72-day full national lockdown. The results showed that depression, anxiety, stress, and disordered eating were related to increased weight. Guilt, denial, self-distraction, use of substances, and behavior disinvestment were also related to increased weight. Behavioral disinvestment had a strong mediating effect on weight gain. Additionally, planning, positive reframing, and acceptance all showed a moderating effect between psychological distress and weight changes. In conclusion, coping strategies allow for a better understanding of the mechanisms by which psychological distress and disordered eating were related to weight changes during the pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological (Self-)Regulation and Healthy Behavior Promotion)

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12 pages, 622 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Food Addiction Problems in College Students: The Relationship between Weight-Related Variables, Eating Habits, and Food Choices

by Sónia Gonçalves, Sílvia Félix, Filipa Martins, Olívia Lapenta, Bárbara C. Machado and Eva M. Conceição

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14588; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114588 - 07 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3726

Abstract

The concept of food addiction, characterized by a strong urge to overeat highly palatable foods, has gained increased research attention over the last decade. College students are a recognized risk group for manifesting an eating pathology and weight gain due to the changes in eating habits experienced during this period. However, there is a gap in the literature connecting food addiction with eating and weight variables in this population. Thus, the present study aims to characterize food addiction in a sample of college students and enlighten the relationship between food addiction, weight-variables, eating habits, and food choices in this population. A sample of 194 college students (89.2% females) aged between 18 and 32 years old (M = 20.85, SD = 2.78) completed a set of self-reported online questionnaires on Google Forms. Namely, a Sociodemographic and Anthropometric Questionnaire, a questionnaire on Food Choices Characterization, the Eating Habits Scale, and the Portuguese Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0. Thirty (22.2%) participants presented food addiction problems. The logistic regression models utilized suggest that participants in the group with food addiction problems are more likely to seek clinical help to control weight, to consider that they should eat less food high in sugar, and to report lower food adequacy. In sum, this finding highlighted a connection between food addiction, weight dissatisfaction, eating habits, and food choices in college students, a population at risk for developing and retaining eating pathologies. Further research is essential to evaluate and implement interventions regarding food addiction, weight dissatisfaction, eating habits, and food choices in college students. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological (Self-)Regulation and Healthy Behavior Promotion)

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16 pages, 587 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Controlled Trial Examining the Strength-Based Grit Wellbeing and Self-Regulation Program for Young People in Residential Settings for Substance Use

by Catherine A. Quinn, Zoe C. Walter, Dominique de Andrade, Genevieve Dingle, Catherine Haslam and Leanne Hides

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 13835; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192113835 - 24 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1641

Abstract

This cohort-controlled trial examined whether the 12-session Grit Wellbeing and Self-regulation Program enhanced the treatment outcomes of young people accessing residential alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment. Grit focuses on increasing wellbeing and reducing substance use and mental health problems by building self-regulation skills, strengths, social connections, and health behaviours. Participants were 194 (66% male, Mage 27.40) young people (aged 18–35 years) accessing a six-week residential treatment program for substance use. Participants received standard treatment, or standard treatment plus Grit (two sessions/week for six weeks). The primary outcome was substance use, measured as: (i) global substance use and (ii) alcohol, methamphetamine, and cannabis use involvement. Secondary outcomes included wellbeing, depression, anxiety, and vocational engagement. Participants were assessed at baseline, and 6-weeks (secondary outcomes only), 3-months, 6-months, and 12-months post-program enrolment. Results revealed that both groups showed a significant improvement in all outcomes at three months, and improvements were maintained at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. The Grit group had a larger reduction in methamphetamine and cannabis use involvement compared to the control group. This study presents promising evidence that a six-week residential program can achieve improvements in AOD use, depression, anxiety, wellbeing and vocational engagement. Further, targeting self-regulation may enhance such programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological (Self-)Regulation and Healthy Behavior Promotion)

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13 pages, 1227 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Children’s Perceived Barriers to a Healthy Diet: The Influence of Child and Community-Related Factors

by Paula Magalhães, Catarina Vilas, Beatriz Pereira, Cátia Silva, Hélder Oliveira, Camila Aguiar and Pedro Rosário

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(4), 2069; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042069 - 12 Feb 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3105

Abstract

A healthy diet influences the promotion and maintenance of health throughout an individual’s life. Many individuals struggle to have a healthy diet, despite it being mainly under their control. The current study aims to explore children’s perceived barriers to a healthy diet. A qualitative study with the open-ended question, “Please identify the top 5 barriers to a healthy diet”, was undertaken between January–June 2019 in which 274 students from the 5–6th grades wrote down their answers to the open-ended question. Content analysis was used to analyze responses with a codebook based on the Six C’s Model. Five categories were identified: Child, Clan, Community, Country, and Culture-related barriers. Findings showed that the barriers most highlighted were in the Child sphere (e.g., dietary intake) and the Community sphere (e.g., peer food choices). Children seldom referred to barriers from the Clan sphere, i.e., related to family (e.g., food available at home). Additionally, it seems that girls emphasize more barriers from the Child sphere, while boys emphasize more barriers from the Community sphere. Due to the qualitative nature of this study, interpretation of the data should take into account the specific characteristics and context of the sample. Nevertheless, the current data are helpful in identifying implications for practice, for example, the need to empower children with tools (e.g., self-regulation-based interventions) likely to help them overcome perceived barriers. Finally, advocacy groups may help set environmental and structural changes in the community likely to facilitate children’s healthy choices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological (Self-)Regulation and Healthy Behavior Promotion)

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14 pages, 3594 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“COVID-19 in Trials and Tribulations” Project: A Self-Regulation-Based Support Response for Confined Families through Social Networks

by Armanda Pereira, Paula Magalhães, Sara Teixeira, José Carlos Núñez, Daniela Rosendo, Sandra Mesquita, Raquel Azevedo, Joana Araújo Martins, Sonia Fuentes and Pedro Rosário

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(3), 1910; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031910 - 08 Feb 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2872

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed today’s society in an unprecedented scenario. During Portugal’s first home confinement period (March–July 2020), the online-based “COVID-19 in Trials and Tribulations” project was implemented to support families with school-aged children. The project was grounded on the self-regulation framework and delivered through Facebook^® and Instagram^® pages. Being responsive to ongoing developments of the pandemic, activities were conveyed in two phases. Phase 1 occurred during lockdown (school was suspended). Phase 2 occurred while students were enrolled in at-distance (online) school. The present study aimed to examine the reach of the project, while examining the content and format of delivery that generated the most engagement among the users (4500 Facebook^® effective followers; 1200 Instagram^® effective followers) during the confinement period. Results showed that, at the individual page level, Facebook^® had higher reach indicators compared to Instagram^®, except for video. At the Facebook^® post level, followers and users showed more engagement with the page prior to the at-distance schooling phase; however, videos still generated engagement (p = 0.002). Both the post type (p < 0.01) and frequency (p < 0.001) of publication were suggested to be good predictors of engagement. The information gathered will help design and inform future interventions that may be implemented as new lockdowns are set in place. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological (Self-)Regulation and Healthy Behavior Promotion)

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11 pages, 751 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Development of a Model to Predict Sports Participation among College Students in Central China

by Tianzhi Liao, Saizhao Tang and Yunsik Shim

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(3), 1806; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031806 - 05 Feb 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2303

Abstract

This study applies the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and self-determination theory (SDT) to predict the sports participation and exercise intentions of college students in Central China by considering the mediating roles of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze self-reported data from 294 college students (144 males and 150 females). The relationship between the research variables was tested by the mediation model and Bootstrap 5000 sampling using AMOS version 24. The results show that the direct effects of attitudes and perceived behavioral control on motor intention and motor participation are significant in the model. The satisfaction of the three psychological needs had a positive indirect effect on motor participation through attitudes; competence and autonomy had a positive indirect effect on motor participation mediated through subjective norms; however, only competence had a positive indirect effect on motor mediated through perceived behavioral control. In conclusion, this research demonstrates the importance of meeting these three basic psychological needs when designing intervention measures to promote college students’ sports participation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological (Self-)Regulation and Healthy Behavior Promotion)

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13 pages, 1348 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Food Availability, Motivational-Related Factors, and Food Consumption: A Path Model Study with Children

by Beatriz Pereira, Pedro Rosário, José Carlos Núñez, Daniela Rosendo, Cristina Roces and Paula Magalhães

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(24), 12897; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182412897 - 07 Dec 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2536

Abstract

The promotion of children’s healthy eating is a key public health priority. However, children’s food consumption is a complex phenomenon with several contributing factors, and there is a call to continue developing comprehensive models with several variables acting simultaneously. The present study aimed to examine the role different motivational-related variables (e.g., self-regulation, self-efficacy) may play in children’s consumption of healthy and unhealthy foods. To address this goal, data were collected in a sample of 242 fifth and sixth graders with access to both healthy and unhealthy foods at home. A path model was conducted to analyze networks of relationships between motivational-related variables and children’s healthy and unhealthy eating. The gender variable was included as a covariate to control its effect. The data showed that self-regulation for healthy eating mediates the relationship between the predictor variables (i.e., knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy) and the type of food consumption (healthy and unhealthy). Current data contribute to understanding the complexity behind food consumption by providing a comprehensive model with motivational-related factors associated with both healthy and unhealthy eating. The present findings are likely to help inform the development of early preventive interventions focused on the promotion of healthy eating. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological (Self-)Regulation and Healthy Behavior Promotion)

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