The Effect of a ChatGPT-Supported Online Group-Guided Self-Help Program on Uncontrolled and Emotional Eating Behaviors and Body Image in Overweight and Obese Woman Nurses

Nurses with overweight and female gender characteristics often experience disruptions in their eating behaviors due to stressful working conditions. These disruptions can lead to physical and psychosocial problems (Nicholls et al., 2017). Studies have shown that guided self-help programs, based on cognitive behavioral therapy interventions, are effective in addressing uncontrolled and emotional eating behaviors (Carrard et al., 2011; Cachelin et al., 2015). However, the use of supportive tools to assist the facilitator in group-based interventions of these evidence-based self-help programs and their impact on individual recovery processes remain unexplored. Additionally, no studies have been found investigating the application of these AI-supported guided self-help programs among female nurses, who are frequently exposed to stress and at high risk of obesity.

Given the demanding workloads of nurses, cost-effective and easily accessible online programs have been found to promote recovery (Jenkins et al., 2021). Therefore, it is essential to test this AI-supported program in an online group format with overweight and obese woman nurses.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a ChatGPT-supported online group-guided self-help program on uncontrolled and emotional eating behaviors and body image in overweight and obese woman nurses through a randomized controlled trial. Participants will be recruited via an announcement shared on social media platforms (Instagram). Nurses who respond to the announcement will be asked to complete a survey through Google Forms. Those randomly assigned to the intervention group will participate in online group sessions conducted via Google Meets. Pre- and post-test data will be collected using Google Forms.

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Key information

Conditions

Overweight (BMI > 25) Behavior Binge Eating Body Weight Bulimia Emotional Eating Feeding Behavior Hyperphagia Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obesity Obesity and Overweight Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Digestive

Age range

20 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Nursing

Izmir, İzmir, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Hold at least a bachelor's degree in nursing from a nursing school.
Work as a nurse in an institution.
Be a woman.
Have a BMI (Body Mass Index) greater than 24.99.
Not have a hearing impairment that would prevent them from understanding and completing verbal instructions.
Have access to a smartphone or computer with a camera.
Agree to participate in the study.
Score 50 or higher on the emotional eating and external eating subscales of the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ).

Exclusion criteria

Refusal to participate in the study.
Diagnosis of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, or hyperthyroidism.

Treatment and study plan

ChatGPT supported Online Guided Self-Help Program (GSHP)

Behavioral

Guided Self-Help Program (GSHP)

The Guided Self-Help Program (GSHP) was developed by Fairburn and Carter for patients with binge eating disorder and later adapted to address various eating behaviors, forming an intervention protocol. GSHP modules consist of:

Starting self-monitoring, Establishing regular eating patterns, Applying the "mindful eating" rule and developing alternatives to emotional eating, Practicing problem-solving exercises, Addressing diet-related issues and body image, and Termination modules.

Session Structure:

Session 1 focuses on tracking eating patterns and raising self-awareness about eating habits. Individuals are asked to maintain a daily record via a shared Google Forms link. This food diary is later processed through ChatGPT, and personalized feedback is provided.

Session 2 provides psychoeducation on developing regular eating patterns. It emphasizes recognizing hunger and satiety cycles and reducing triggers. Participants are asked to log their meals daily

Primary outcomes

Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ)

Time frame: 8 weeks

The Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) was developed by Van Strien, Frijters, Jan, Bergers, and Defares (1986) to measure emotional, external, and restrained eating behaviors. The questionnaire consists of 33 items divided into three subscales:

Restrained Eating (10 items) - Example: "Do you deliberately eat foods that are slimming?" Emotional Eating (13 items) - Example: "Do you have a desire to eat when someone upsets you?" External Eating (10 items) - Example: "Do you feel like eating when you pass by a café or snack bar?" Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Never, 5 = Very often). The 31st item is reverse-scored.

The psychometric properties of the DEBQ were validated in Turkish by Bozan, Baş, and Aşçı (2011), confirming the original three-factor structure. In their study, the Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the subscales were found to be:

Emotional Eating: .90 Restrained Eating: .94 External Eating: .96 These reliability values indicate high internal con

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Dokuz Eylul University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

ChatGPT-Supported Online Group-Guided Self-Help Program

Important dates

Study start: 2024
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Oct 22, 2024
Registry last updated: Jan 6, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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