This is part 3 of the series The Role of Coaching in the Diet Change Process. In Part 1, we described how important it is to adopt a healthy diet, and that doing so is among the things with the greatest potential in improving our physical and mental well-being, as well as boosting our performance in all our endeavors. We also described why changing one’s diet can be hard.
In part 2, we described coaching itself and how it helps in the process.
In this part, we take a look into tools a skillful coach can use to help the process of changing one’s diet
The Coaching Toolbox
Over the years, different concepts, methodologies and tools have entered the domain of coaching as they have been proven in their own respective fields, mostly psychology. This list is non-exhaustive, but it does name some of the most important ones that are taught today as part of the coaching curriculum in some of the most prestigious coaching educational systems.
- Motivational Interviewing
- Self-Determination Theory
- Positive Psychology Theory
- Appreciative Inquiry Theory
- Nonviolent Communication (NVC)
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Motivational interviewing is a patient-centered counseling style based on the principles of the humanistic psychology of Carl Rogers. He argued that for a person to “grow,” we need an environment that provides us with genuine openness that enables self-disclosure, acceptance that includes being seen with unconditional positive regard, and empathy where we feel like we are being listened to and understood. MI is a communication technique that is often used in health and behavior change interventions to help individuals identify and resolve ambivalence about changing their behavior.
Rogers discovered that it was more effective to let clients guide the direction of the process in the person-centered form of therapy.1
The technique and its principles come from the 1980s when it was used for helping patients with alcohol addictions.
Motivational interviewing also appears to enhance weight loss in overweight and obese patients.2
MI intervention helps to increase clients’ confidence in their ability to change their diet and reduce the perceived obstacles to making dietary changes.
Self-Determination Theory (SDT)
Self-determination theory (SDT) is a theory of motivation and personality that was developed by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan in the 1980s. SDT proposes that people have three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness and that satisfying these needs is essential for motivation, well-being, and personal growth.
There are studies that have examined the role of SDT in promoting dietary change. One such study was published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity in 2015.3 The study examined the effectiveness of an SDT-based intervention in promoting fruit and vegetable consumption among overweight and obese adults.
The SDT-based intervention consisted of six group sessions that focused on promoting autonomy, competence, and relatedness in relation to fruit and vegetable consumption. The sessions were led by a trained health educator who used various techniques to promote autonomy, such as providing choices and options for participants, and encouraging them to identify their own reasons for wanting to eat more fruits and vegetables.
The results of the study showed that the SDT-based intervention was effective in promoting fruit and vegetable consumption. Participants in the intervention group reported consuming significantly more fruits and vegetables compared to the control group. The intervention group also had higher scores on measures of autonomy, competence, and relatedness compared to the control group.
Positive Psychology Theory
Positive psychology is a field of psychology that focuses on the study of human well-being and flourishing, and seeks to identify the factors that promote positive emotions, relationships, and experiences. Martin Seligman is one of the founders of positive psychology, and has proposed a number of theories and interventions that aim to enhance well-being and promote healthy behavior.
By promoting positive emotions, social connections, and purpose in life, as well as providing tools and strategies for healthy eating behaviors, Positive psychology-based intervention has proven effective in better self-regulation and weight-loss.4, 5
Appreciative Inquiry Theory
Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a theory and methodology that emphasizes the positive aspects of an organization or individual and aims to build upon their strengths and assets, rather than focusing on problems and deficits. AI has been applied in various contexts, including healthcare and wellness, to promote positive change and improvement.
AI-based intervention has been proven effective in promoting healthy eating habits, making a positive impact on attitudes and beliefs about healthy eating and raising the chances for a lasting change.6, 7
Nonviolent Communication (NVC)
Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a process of communication created by psychologist Marshall Rosenberg. It is a compilation of ideas about compassionate human behavior, packaged to meet the needs of modern times. 8 It focuses on skills such as active listening, expressing oneself honestly, and using language that emphasizes needs, feelings, and values rather than judgments or demands. Studies are showing significant improvements in eating habits, weight loss, and overall quality of life among participants who finished programs that involved NVC interventions.
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References:
- Souders, Beata. 2019. “17 Motivational Interviewing Questions and Skills.” Positive Psychology. November 5, 2019. https://positivepsychology.com/motivational-interviewing/, June 2023.
- M J Armstrong, T A Mottershead, P E Ronksley, R J Sigal, T S Campbell, B R Hemmelgarn, “Motivational interviewing to improve weight loss in overweight and/or obese patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Obesity Reviews, 12(9), 709-723.
- Silva et al. “An intervention based on self-determination theory to promote vegetable consumption in overweight adults.” International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 2015
- Bolier et al. “Positive psychology can improve health behaviors: a randomized controlled trial of an online well-being intervention.” Journal of Health Psychology, 2014
- Monge-Rojas et al. “Positive psychology interventions for promoting weight loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Journal of Happiness Studies, 2017
- Israel et al. “Using Appreciative Inquiry to promote evidence-based practice in public health nutrition: A randomized control trial.” American Journal of Health Education, 2015
- Lloyd-Walker et al. “Appreciative inquiry as a tool for promoting a healthy work environment and employee well-being.” Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2016