The eating habits and eating behaviour of a total of 51 professionals were assessed using methods such as food diaries in the Mind Nutrition study, which was carried out among employees of the Wellbeing services county of Satakunta between 2024 and 2026.
Half of the participants received comprehensive nutrition counselling for six months. The counselling sessions were held at the facilities of the Wellbeing services county of Satakunta and Satakunta University of Applied Sciences.
– The aim of the counselling was to support and encourage participants to adopt eating habits that promote mental wellbeing and overall health, both during working hours and in their free time, says Susanna Kunvik, Project Manager of the Mind Nutrition study.
Individual counselling considered participants’ personal life situations, resources and goals. Tailored support helped participants find practical solutions suited to their everyday lives. Group sessions focused on the links between nutrition and mental wellbeing and helped build an understanding of a diet that supports mental health. Participants also received peer support and opportunities to share experiences with others.
– During the six-month follow-up, the professionals who participated in the nutrition counselling showed positive changes in food choices, nutrient intake and eating behaviour. Satisfaction with their meal patterns and diets also increased clearly. Participants considered regular counselling an effective way to change eating habits. Individual counselling received particularly positive feedback, but group sessions also provided valuable support and complemented the individual guidance, says Elina Nevala, nutrition expert in the study.
Depressive symptoms decreased among participants during the six-month period. Improvements were also observed in quality of life and self-perceived work ability. Participants felt that dietary changes had particularly improved their general wellbeing, alertness, physical activity and relationship with food. The counselling therefore also addressed themes related to people’s relationship with food and eating behaviour, as nutrition involves much more than physiology and nutrients. Sustainable change rarely comes from increasing knowledge alone; it also requires understanding one’s own habits and relationship with food.
The Mind Nutrition project is a nutrition research initiative carried out and funded by Satakunta University of Applied Sciences between 2024 and 2026. The study involved 51 professionals working in mental health and substance abuse services in the Wellbeing services county of Satakunta.
Read more about the Mind Nutrition project on its website.
For more information:
Susanna Kunvik
Project Manager, Senior Researcher, Mind Nutrition project
+358 44 710 3204
susanna.kunvik@samk.fi
Elina Nevala
Researcher, Nutrition Expert, Mind Nutrition project
+358 50 573 7358
elina.nevala@samk.fi
