The Effect of Online Fitness Combining Dietary Intervention on Body Composition, Body Shame and Self-Esteem in Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
A multi-component, web-based lifestyle intervention integrating time-restricted eating, mindful eating, and structured exercise may improve body composition and reduce body shame in young adults, though changes in self-esteem were not observed over the short term.
Key Findings
Results
The intervention group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in body fat percentage compared to controls.
A significant group × time interaction was observed for body fat percentage (p < 0.001)
42 healthy young adults were enrolled (age: 20.4 ± 1.6 years), with 28 in the intervention group and 14 in the control group
The intervention combined time-restricted eating (TRE), mindful eating principles, and guided online exercise sessions
The control group received standard dietary and physical activity recommendations
Results
Fat mass was significantly more reduced in the intervention group than in controls.
A significant group × time interaction was observed for fat mass (p = 0.001)
This was one of three body composition measures showing significant between-group differences
The intervention was delivered in a web-based format
Results
Body mass showed a significant group × time interaction favoring the intervention group.
A significant group × time interaction was observed for body mass (p = 0.025)
The intervention group demonstrated greater reductions compared with controls
This was the smallest effect among the three significant body composition outcomes
Results
Body shame scores significantly decreased in the intervention group over the study period.
Body shame (BS) was measured using the Weight- and Body-Related Shame and Guilt Scale
BS scores significantly decreased in the intervention group
No specific between-group p-value for BS was reported in the abstract, but a significant reduction within the intervention group was noted
Self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale
Results
No significant between-group differences were observed for self-esteem over the intervention period.
The between-group difference in self-esteem (SE) was not significant (p > 0.05)
SE was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale
The authors attributed the null SE finding to the short-term nature of the study
The authors concluded that longer-term studies are needed to clarify psychological outcomes including SE
Results
Dietary adherence appeared higher than exercise adherence during the intervention period.
Eating behavior was assessed using the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire
The intervention integrated TRE and mindful eating (dietary components) alongside guided online exercise
This differential adherence pattern was noted as a finding of the study
The study was described as a pilot randomized controlled trial
Methods
The study was a pilot randomized controlled trial with a 2:1 allocation ratio of intervention to control participants.
Total sample size was 42 healthy young adults (age: 20.4 ± 1.6 years)
28 participants were allocated to the intervention group and 14 to the control group
Outcomes included body composition, anthropometric measures, body shame, self-esteem, and eating behavior
The intervention was delivered in a scalable, web-based format
What This Means
This research suggests that a web-based program combining time-restricted eating (eating within a set daily time window), mindful eating practices, and structured online exercise can meaningfully reduce body fat percentage, fat mass, and overall body weight in young adults compared to simply following standard dietary and activity guidelines. The study enrolled 42 young adults (average age about 20) and randomly assigned them to either the full intervention program or a control group receiving standard recommendations, then tracked changes in body composition and psychological wellbeing.
Beyond physical changes, the research suggests the program also reduced body shame — negative feelings tied to one's weight and physical appearance — among participants in the intervention group. However, broader self-esteem (a person's overall sense of self-worth) did not significantly change over the course of the study, which the researchers attributed to the short duration of the intervention. Participants also appeared to follow the dietary components of the program more consistently than the exercise components.
This research matters because it suggests that scalable digital health programs — ones that people can access online without needing in-person facilities or clinicians — may be effective for improving both physical and psychological outcomes related to body image in young adults. The findings highlight that body shame may respond to relatively short lifestyle interventions, while improving overall self-esteem may require longer or more intensive support. The authors call for larger, longer-term studies to better understand these psychological effects.
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Chen H, Hu P, Yang X, Li Y. (2026). The Effect of Online Fitness Combining Dietary Intervention on Body Composition, Body Shame and Self-Esteem in Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.. Nutrients. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18091460