{
  "id": 14791134,
  "title": "Greater contact with nature linked to a more positive relationship with food",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/greater-contact-with-nature-linked-to-a-more-positive-relationship",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-15T21:00:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-10-greater-contact-nature-linked-positive.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent study has uncovered a link between exposure to nature and healthier eating habits. Conducted by Anglia Ruskin University and published in the journal Body Image, the research involved 500 adult participants in the United Kingdom. The study measured individuals' levels of interaction with the natural world, including their daily awareness of nature and the frequency with which they engaged in natural environments. Participants also completed surveys assessing their body image, self-compassion, connection to nature, and intuitive eating habits. The findings revealed a direct correlation between nature contact and intuitive eating, but other factors also played significant roles. Exposure to nature seemed to influence intuitive eating primarily by fostering greater body appreciation. This connection suggested that individuals who spent more time in nature felt more comfortable and appreciative of their bodies, leading them to respond more positively to their body's needs, which in turn promoted intuitive eating. Another pathway identified was the relationship between nature contact and self-compassion. Greater engagement with nature was found to enhance self-compassion, providing a protective buffer against impulsive eating as a response to negative thoughts and emotions. Instead, this greater self-compassion encouraged individuals to listen to their bodies' signals and make food choices that better met their physiological requirements. Lead author Professor Viren Swami of Anglia Ruskin University emphasized the importance of these findings, stating that they provide the first evidence that contact with nature can shape people's eating habits. The researchers acknowledged the limitations of their study, primarily its reliance on self-reported data, and called for further research in other populations to validate these initial results. These findings suggest that increased access to nature could support public health initiatives aimed at promoting healthier, more sustainable eating behaviors.",
  "summary": "A new study has discovered that contact with natural environments may help people develop healthier eating habits. Led by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and published in the journal Body Image, this is the first research to provide evidence that exposure to nature can influence people's relationship with food.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}