The DOI matches its Crossref record; 52 of the 52 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Do implementation intentions help to eat a healthy diet? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the empirical evidence
Open accessAbstract
Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis examined whether implementation intentions are an effective tool to help people put their intentions to eat a healthy diet into practice. Additionally, it was investigated whether the quality of the outcome measures and the quality of the control conditions that are used in these studies influence implementation intentions' effectiveness.Methods Twenty three empirical studies investigating the effect of implementation intentions on eating behavior were included. In assessing the empirical evidence, a distinction was made between studies that aim to increase healthy eating (i.e., eating more fruits) and studies that aim to diminish unhealthy eating (i.e., eating fewer unhealthy snacks).Results Implementation intentions are an effective tool for promoting the inclusion of healthy food items in one's diet (Cohen's d=.51), but results for diminishing unhealthy eating patterns are less strong (Cohen's d=.29). For studies aiming to increase healthy eating, it was found that higher quality outcome measures and lower quality control conditions tended to yield stronger effects.Conclusion Implementation intentions are somewhat more effective in promoting healthy eating than in diminishing unhealthy eating, although for some studies promoting healthy eating effect sizes may have been inflated due to less than optimal control conditions.
Overview
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
The source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
In the citing paper
“Meta‐analyses across various goal domains and demographics have consistently shown a positive effect of implementation intentions on goal achievement (Adriaanse et al., 2011; Bélanger‐Gravel et al., 2013; Chen et al., 2015; Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006; Malaguti et al., 2020; McWilliams et al., 2019; Silva et al., 2018; Toli et al., 2016).”
From The effectiveness of implementation intentions in children: A systematic review and meta‐analysis (2026) · cites this paper as Adriaanse et al., 2011
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“Adriaanse et al. (2011) found implementation intention interventions to have a moderate effect size for promoting the inclusion of healthy food items in one's diet (Cohen's d = 0.51) and smaller effects for diminishing unhealthy eating patterns (Cohen's d = 0.29).”
From A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Mental Contrasting With Implementation Intentions on Goal Attainment (2021) · cites this paper as Adriaanse et al. (2011)
In the citing paper
“Decreasing risky behavior may be harder to achieve than increasing health-promoting behavior (Adriaanse et al. 2011).”
From A meta-analysis of serious digital games for healthy lifestyle promotion (2014) · cites this paper as Adriaanse et al. 2011
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Citations
Cites
Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences
Muller, K. E., & Cohen, J. (1989) · Technometrics · doi:10.2307/1270020 · Cited by 99,603
Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences
Cohen, J. (1990) · Computers Environment and Urban Systems · doi:10.1016/0198-9715(90)90050-4 · Cited by 65,417
Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences (2nd ed.).
Lachenbruch, P. A., & Cohen, J. (1989) · Journal of the American Statistical Association · doi:10.2307/2290095 · Cited by 37,421
(2000) · Cited by 9,198
The file drawer problem and tolerance for null results.
Rosenthal, R. (1979) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.86.3.638 · Cited by 9,068
Implementation intentions: Strong effects of simple plans.
Gollwitzer, P. M. (1999) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/0003-066x.54.7.493 · Cited by 5,478
Webb, T. L., & Sheeran, P. (2006) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.132.2.249 · Cited by 3,732
Implementation intentions and goal achievement: a meta-analysis of effects and processes
Gollwitzer, P. M., & Sheeran, P. (2006) · Advances in Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/s0065-2601(06)38002-1 · Cited by 3,236 · cited 7×
“…accumulated evidence has indicated that when goal-intentions are furnished with specific action plans, labeled implementation intentions, the self-regulatory problems such as the ones described above hinder goal-striving to a much lesser extent (for an overview see Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006).”
BackgroundResultInfluentialGlobal strategy on diet, physical activity and health
Samuelson, G. (2004) · Food & Nutrition Research · doi:10.3402/fnr.v48i2.1503 · Cited by 2,318
Global strategy on diet, physical activity and health
Samuelson, G. (2004) · Scandinavian Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.1080/11026480410034349 · Cited by 1,781
Milne, S., Orbell, S., & Sheeran, P. (2002) · British Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1348/135910702169420 · Cited by 694
Implementation Intentions and the Theory of Planned Behavior
Orbell, S., Hodgkins, S., & Sheeran, P. (1997) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167297239004 · Cited by 658
(2006) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195307696.001.0001 · Cited by 656
Good intentions, bad habits, and effects of forming implementation intentions on healthy eating
Verplanken, B., & Faes, S. (1999) · European Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1002/(sici)1099-0992(199908/09)29:5/6 · Cited by 509
Gill, D. (1997) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/s0022-3999(97)87486-7 · Cited by 440
Dietary fat intake and prevention of cardiovascular disease: systematic review
Hooper, L., Summerbell, C., Higgins, J., Thompson, R. L., Capps, N., Smith, G., Riemersma, R., & Ebrahim, S. (2001) · British medical journal · doi:10.1136/bmj.322.7289.757 · Cited by 409
Meta-analysis of studies on breast cancer risk and diet
Gandini, S., Merzenich, H., Robertson, C., & Boyle, P. (2000) · European Journal of Cancer · doi:10.1016/s0959-8049(00)00022-8 · Cited by 385
Schwarzer, R., Schüz, B., Ziegelmann, J. P., Lippke, S., Łuszczyńska, A., & Scholz, U. (2007) · Annals of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/bf02879897 · Cited by 360
Holland, R. W., Aarts, H., & Langendam, D. (2006) · Journal of Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2005.11.006 · Cited by 350
Implementation Intentions and Shielding Goal Striving From Unwanted Thoughts and Feelings
Achtziger, A., Gollwitzer, P. M., & Sheeran, P. (2008) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167207311201 · Cited by 348
The use of implementation intentions and the decision balance sheet in promoting exercise behaviour
Prestwich, A., Lawton, R., & Conner, M. T. (2003) · Psychology and Health · doi:10.1080/08870440310001594493 · Cited by 245
Evidence that implementation intentions reduce dietary fat intake: A randomized trial.
Armitage, C. J. (2004) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/0278-6133.23.3.319 · Cited by 237
Luszczynska, A., Tryburcy, M., & Schwarzer, R. (2006) · Health Education Research · doi:10.1093/her/cyl133 · Cited by 231 · cited 1×
“In contrast, Luszczynska et al. (2007c) failed to find evidence for the effectiveness of implementation intentions over and above the effect of a self-efficacy intervention in predicting fruit and vegetable intake.”
BackgroundŁuszczyńska, A., Sobczyk, A., & Abraham, C. (2007) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/0278-6133.26.4.507 · Cited by 219
de Vries, H., Kremers, S., Smeets, T., Brug, J., & Eijmael, K. (2008) · American Journal of Health Promotion · doi:10.4278/ajhp.22.6.417 · Cited by 215
Adriaanse, M. A., de Ridder, D. T. D., & de Wit, J. B. F. (2008) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167208325612 · Cited by 195
Self-citationParks–Stamm, E. J., Gollwitzer, P. M., & Oettingen, G. (2007) · Social Cognition · doi:10.1521/soco.2007.25.2.248 · Cited by 191
Chapman, J., Armitage, C. J., & Norman, P. E. (2008) · Psychology and Health · doi:10.1080/08870440701864538 · Cited by 179
Maintenance of dietary behavior change.
Kumanyika, S., Bowen, D. J., Rolls, B. J., Horn, L. V., Perri, M. G., Czajkowski, S. M., & SCHRON, E. B. (2000) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/0278-6133.19.suppl1.42 · Cited by 179
Measuring implementation intentions in the context of the theory of planned behavior
Rise, J., Thompson, M., & Verplanken, B. (2003) · Scandinavian Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1111/1467-9450.00325 · Cited by 172
Nutrition knowledge and body mass index
O’Brien, G., & Davies, M. (2006) · Health Education Research · doi:10.1093/her/cyl119 · Cited by 160
Changes in self-regulatory cognitions as predictors of changes in smoking and nutrition behaviour
Scholz, U., Nagy, G., Göhner, W., Luszczynska, A., & Kliegel, M. (2009) · Psychology and Health · doi:10.1080/08870440801902519 · Cited by 139
Koestner, R., Horberg, E. J., Gaudreau, P., Powers, T. A., Dio, P. D., Bryan, C. J., Jochum, R., & Salter, N. P. (2006) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167206291782 · Cited by 139
Jackson, C., Lawton, R., Knapp, P., Raynor, D. K., Conner, M. T., Lowe, C., & Closs, S. J. (2004) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2004.10.014 · Cited by 137
Kellar, I., & Abraham, C. (2005) · British Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1348/135910705x42940 · Cited by 128
Social-cognitive predictors of dietary behaviors in South Korean men and women
Renner, B., Kwon, S., Yang, B., Paik, K.-C., Kim, S. H., Roh, S., Song, J., & Schwarzer, R. (2008) · International Journal of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/bf03003068 · Cited by 107
Effects of an implementation intention-based intervention on fruit consumption
Armitage, C. J. (2007) · Psychology and Health · doi:10.1080/14768320601070662 · Cited by 105
Gollwitzer, P. M., Boyer, U. C., & McCulloch, K. C. (2006) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195307696.003.0018 · Cited by 104
Gratton, L., Povey, R. C., & Clark-Carter, D. D. (2006) · British Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1348/135910706x171504 · Cited by 92
Changing Nutrition, Physical Activity and Body Weight among Student Nurses and Midwives
Łuszczyńska, A., & Haynes, C. (2009) · Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1177/1359105309342290 · Cited by 76
Evidence that implementation intentions promote transitions between the stages of change.
Armitage, C. J. (2006) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-006x.74.1.141 · Cited by 75
Do Implementation Intentions Help to Turn Good Intentions into Higher Fruit Intakes?
de Nooijer, J., de Vet, E., Brug, J., & de Vries, N. K. (2006) · Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2005.11.021 · Cited by 73
Implementation intentions and test anxiety: Shielding academic performance from distraction
Parks‐Stamm, E. J., Gollwitzer, P. M., & Oettingen, G. (2009) · Learning and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.lindif.2009.09.001 · Cited by 72
Sullivan, H. W., & Rothman, A. J. (2008) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/0278-6133.27.4.438 · Cited by 70
Otis, N., & Pelletier, L. (2008) · Motivation and Emotion · doi:10.1007/s11031-008-9083-3 · Cited by 68
van Osch, L., Beenackers, M. A., Reubsaet, A., Lechner, L., Candel, M. J. J. M., & de Vries, H. (2009) · International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity · doi:10.1186/1479-5868-6-69 · Cited by 59
Łuszczyńska, A., Scholz, U., & Sutton, S. R. (2007) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2007.06.014 · Cited by 56
Prediction of stage transitions in fruit and vegetable intake
Wiedemann, A. U., Lippke, S., Reuter, T., Schüz, B., Ziegelmann, J. P., & Schwarzer, R. (2008) · Health Education Research · doi:10.1093/her/cyn061 · Cited by 56
Reuter, T., Ziegelmann, J. P., Wiedemann, A. U., & Lippke, S. (2008) · Applied Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.1464-0597.2008.00364.x · Cited by 56
Prestwich, A., Ayres, K., & Lawton, R. (2008) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.07.019 · Cited by 54
Łuszczyńska, A., & Cieślak, R. (2009) · Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.3200/bmed.35.1.30-38 · Cited by 32
Volpato, C., & Contarello, A. (1999) · European Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1002/(sici)1099-0992(199903/05)29:2/3 · Cited by 23
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Sheeran, P., & Webb, T. L. (2016) · Social and Personality Psychology Compass · doi:10.1111/spc3.12265 · Cited by 2,185
Increasing Vaccination: Putting Psychological Science Into Action
Brewer, N. T., Chapman, G. B., Rothman, A. J., Leask, J., & Kempe, A. (2017) · Psychological Science in the Public Interest · doi:10.1177/1529100618760521 · Cited by 1,233
Onwezen, M. C., Bouwman, E. P., Reinders, M. J., & Dagevos, H. (2020) · Appetite · doi:10.1016/j.appet.2020.105058 · Cited by 1,093
Hagger, M. S., & Łuszczyńska, A. (2013) · Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being · doi:10.1111/aphw.12017 · Cited by 628
Nonconscious processes and health.
Sheeran, P., Gollwitzer, P. M., & Bargh, J. A. (2013) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0029203 · Cited by 579
Metadata
- Authors
- Adriaanse, M. A., Vinkers, C. D. W., De Ridder, D. T. D., Hox, J. J., & De Wit, J. B. F.
- Affiliations
- Utrecht University (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Adriaanse, Marieke A.
- Venue
- Appetite
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2011-02
- Volume
- 56
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 183-193
- ISSN
- 0195-6663 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2124879460
- Cited by
- 455
- References
- 52
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 42 · 2020: 89 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 43 · 2016: 38 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 22 · 2012: 10
- FWCI
- 1.23
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Appetite (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
- Social Sciences › Communication › Media Influence and Health
- Keywords
- implementation intentions, healthy eating, dietary habits, fruit consumption, unhealthy snacks, effect size inflation
- MeSH terms
- Diet, Feeding Behavior, Goals, Health Promotion, Humans, Research Design, Health Behavior, Intention
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
