Can, BaşakYılmaz, SineGöbel, PınarEjder, Zeynep BengisuKocabaş, ŞuleGöktürk Açıkalın, BüşraMüftüoğlu, SelenŞanlıer, Nevin2026-11-032026-11-0304.05.2026Can, Başak, Yılmaz, Sine, Göbel, Pınar, Ejder, Zeynep Bengisu, Kocabaş, Şule, Göktürk Açıkalın, Büşra, Müftüoğlu, Selen, Şanlıer, Nevin. (2026). Changes in mindful eating and eating behaviors among female university students taking nutrition courses. Sprınger Nature.https://www.doi.org/10.1186/s40337-026-01624-8https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12662/10900University years are a time when eating habits can change because of stress, new routines, and changes in the social environment. This study examined whether a 14-week elective nutrition course could help female university students become more aware of their eating behaviors. A total of 71 students took part in the study: 38 students attended the nutrition course and 33 students did not. Students completed questionnaires before and after the semester. After the course, students who attended the nutrition education program reported higher mindful eating scores and lower scores for emotional, external, and restrained eating. In other words, they appeared to become more aware of hunger and fullness cues and reported fewer eating behaviors driven by emotions, environmental food cues, or restriction. These changes were not observed in the comparison group.The findings suggest that a structured nutrition education course may support healthier and more regulated eating behaviors among female university students. However, this study does not show that nutrition education prevents eating disorders. The results should also be interpreted carefully because the study included only female students from one university, used self-report questionnaires, and did not include long-term follow-up. Future studies with larger and more diverse groups are needed to see whether these changes continue over time.info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess10.1186/s40337-026-01624-8Q1