The Effects of a Values Alignment Intervention on Eating Habits and Attitudes in Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial With a Mixed-Methods Approach / Los efectos de una intervención de alineación de valores en los hábitos alimentarios y las act

Adolescent obesity is a growing public health concern. This study examined the effects of an adapted single session grounded in values alignment and designed to improve eating habits in adolescents. Additionally, a qualitative approach was employed to explore perceived barriers and motivations related to reducing consumption of unhealthy foods. A randomized clinical trial with two parallel groups was conducted, involving 592 adolescents ( M age = 14.31, SD = .66), assessed at three time points. Hierarchical linear modelling results indicated a short-term, one-week increase in healthy food intake, in the alignment of healthy eating habits with adolescents’ values, and an increase in the perceived appeal of healthy eating. However, the intervention did not reduce unhealthy food consumption. Qualitative analysis identified taste of processed foods, peer influence, and their addictive qualities as the main motivations and obstacles to dietary change. Overall, these results suggest that the single-session intervention temporarily promotes healthier food choices and improves attitudes toward healthy eating; however, it does not effectively reduce unhealthy food consumption. This project was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov [ID: NCT05865444; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05865444 ].