Nutrition and Body Image Program Supports Healthier Behaviors in Women Undergoing Substance Use Treatment

A recent study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB), published by Elsevier, examined the impact of the Healthy Steps to Freedom (HSF-10) program on nutrition, body image, and health-related behaviors among 607 women undergoing treatment for substance use. Findings demonstrated that participation in the 10-week intervention program was associated with significant improvements in nutrition behaviors, physical activity, and intuitive eating, alongside reductions in body dissatisfaction, thin-ideal internalization, and disordered eating behaviors.

Participants reported healthier eating habits and increased physical activity following the program, as well as greater reliance on internal hunger and satiety cues. Significant decreases were observed in restrictive eating, binge eating, and concerns related to weight gain during recovery; These factors are often linked to relapse risk.

The study also highlighted the prevalence of weight-related concerns among women in substance use treatment. At baseline, more than half of participants reported concerns about weight gain during recovery, and a substantial proportion indicated that weight gain could trigger relapse or future substance use.

“These findings underscore the importance of addressing nutrition, body image, and eating behaviors as part of comprehensive substance use treatment for women,” said Anne Lindsay, PhD, corresponding author of the study, Professor at the University of Nevada Reno, Extension, Las Vegas. “Programs like Healthy Steps to Freedom demonstrate that integrated approaches can support both physical and psychological aspects of recovery.”

These findings highlight the value of integrating nutrition, body image, and eating behavior education into substance use treatment programs for women. The authors note that the Healthy Steps to Freedom program offers a practical, group-based approach that can be incorporated into existing treatment settings, even those without specialized nutrition or eating disorder professionals. They also emphasize the need for future research to examine long-term outcomes, including whether these improvements translate to reduced relapse rates and better overall recovery.

The article is “Impact of a Program to Improve Nutrition, Body Image, and Health-Related Behaviors for Women in Treatment for Substance Use,” by Anne R. Lindsay, PhD; Cortney S. Warren, PhD, ABPP; Nichol Heleman; Najat Elgeberi, PhD (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2026.02.001). It appears in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, volume 58, issue 5 (May 2026), published by Elsevier.

The article is openly available for 90 days at https://www.jneb.org/article/S1499-4046(26)00037-0/fulltext.

An audio podcast featuring an interview with Anne R. Lindsay, PhD, and other information for journalists are available at https://www.jneb.org/content/media. Excerpts from the podcast may be reproduced by the media with permission from Eileen Leahy.

The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB), the official journal of the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB), is a refereed, scientific periodical that serves as a resource for all professionals with an interest in nutrition education and dietary/physical activity behaviors. The purpose of JNEB is to document and disseminate original research, emerging issues, and practices relevant to nutrition education and behavior worldwide and to promote healthy, sustainable food choices. It supports the society’s efforts to disseminate innovative nutrition education strategies and communicate information on food, nutrition, and health issues to students, professionals, policy makers, targeted audiences, and the public.

The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior features articles that provide new insights and useful findings related to nutrition education research, practice, and policy. The content areas of JNEB reflect the diverse interests of health, nutrition, education, Cooperative Extension, and other professionals working in areas related to nutrition education and behavior. As the Society’s official journal, JNEB also includes occasional policy statements, issue perspectives, and member communications. www.jneb.org

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