Body ImageNBINCT06960668
Nature for Body Image
A study testing Nature for Body Image, Simple nature exposure and Structured Built Environment Exposure in people with Body Image and Eating Behaviors, run by University of Padova at 1 site in Italy.
Trial summary
Nature exposure has been found to be particularly beneficial for body image, as recent studies have identified a positive association between time spent in nature and positive body image. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Body Image, Eating Behaviors, Self-Compassion
- What is being tested?
- Nature for Body Image, Simple nature exposure and Structured Built Environment Exposure
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteItaly
- Study dates
- 1 May 2025to 28 Feb 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Females
- Age 18-35 years old
Who cannot join
- Full-blown body image disorder
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Italy1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Department of General Psychology, University of Padova
Padova, Italy
About this study
Official title: Look at the Bright (Nature) Side: Improving Body Image and Associated Protective Factors and Reducing Body Image Threats With the Nature for Body Image (NBI) Project
Nature exposure has been found to be particularly beneficial for body image, as recent studies have identified a positive association between time spent in nature and positive body image. Positive body image, defined as the ability to accept and respect one's body, has been linked to greater life satisfaction and engagement in healthy behaviors. Conversely, negative body image is recognized as a public health concern due to its detrimental effects on both physical and mental health. It has been associated with symptoms of Body Image Disorders (BIDs), including Eating Disorders (EDs) and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).
The Nature for Body Image (NBI) project aimed to examine the impact of a structured nature exposure intervention on improving body image among young women aged 18-35 years.
- Conditions
- Body Image, Eating Behaviors, Self-Compassion, Interoception
- Being tested
- Nature for Body Image, Simple nature exposure, Structured Built Environment Exposure
- Medical subject headings
- Feeding Behavior
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Nature for Body ImageBehavioural
The intervention will include a range of activities in nature (e.g., in a public park), such as meditation, body scans, and grounding exercises.
Simple nature exposureBehavioural
The intervention will simply involve spending time in nature (e.g., in a public park), without specific guidelines.
Structured Built Environment ExposureBehavioural
The intervention will mirror the activities of the structured nature exposure intervention (e.g., meditation, body scans, and grounding exercises), but without any exposure to nature.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Structured Nature Exposure | Experimental | The structured nature exposure sessions will be conducted twice a week, each lasting 30 minutes. Activities will include meditation, body scans, and grounding exercises in a natural setting (e.g., in a public park). Receives: Behavioral: Nature for Body Image |
| Simple Nature Exposure | Active comparator | The simple nature exposure sessions will take place twice a week, with each session lasting 30 minutes. During these sessions, participants will spend time in nature (e.g., in a public park) without receiving specific instructions or guidance. Receives: Behavioral: Simple nature exposure |
| Structured Built Environment Exposure | Active comparator | The structured built environment sessions will consist of five 30-minute sessions, mirroring the activities of the structured nature exposure sessions, but conducted entirely in non-natural settings. Receives: Behavioral: Structured Built Environment Exposure |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Negative Body Image
Assessed with the Italian - Body Image Concern Inventory (I-BICI), a 19-item self-report questionnaire measuring negative body image. Scores range from 19 to 95, with higher scores indicating greater negative body image.
Measured: 5 weeks
Body Appreciation
Assessed with the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2), a 10-item self-report questionnaire measuring body appreciation. Scores range from 10 to 50, with higher scores indicating greater body appreciation.
Measured: 5 weeks
Functionality appreciation
Assessed with the Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS), a 7-item self-report questionnaire measuring functionality appreciation. Scores range from 7 to 35, with higher scores indicating greater functionality appreciation.
Measured: 5 weeks
Secondary outcomes (5)
Dysfunctional Eating Behaviours and Risk of Developing Eating Disorders
Assessed with the Eating Disorder Risk Composite Score (EDRC) of the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3). The Eating Disorder Risk Composite Score (EDRC) investigates the risk of developing eating disorders with 25 items. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater risk of developing eating disorders.
Measured: 5 weeks
Functional Eating Behaviors
Assessed with the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2), a 23-item self-report questionnaire measuring intuitive eating. Scores range from 23 to 115, with higher scores indicating greater intuitive eating.
Measured: 5 weeks
Embodiment
Assessed with the Experience of Embodiment Scale (EES), a 34-item self-report questionnaire measuring embodiment. Scores range from 34 to 170, with higher scores indicating greater embodiment.
Measured: 5 weeks
Interoceptive Awareness
Assessed with the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), a 32-item self-report questionnaire measuring interoceptive awareness. Scores range from 0 to 160, with higher scores indicating greater interoceptive awareness.
Measured: 5 weeks
Self-compassion
Assessed with the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), a 26-item self-report questionnaire measuring self-compassion. Scores range from 26 to 130, with higher scores indicating greater self-compassion.
Measured: 5 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 May 2025
- Study start1 May 2025
- Primary completion30 Aug 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion28 Feb 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Body ImageStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Padova
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Silvia Cerea, University of Padova
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06960668
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 1216-a
- Acronym
- NBI
- Status last verified
- Apr 2025
- First submitted
- 28 Apr 2025
- Last updated
- 16 May 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 16 May 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Look at the Bright (Nature) Side: Improving Body Image and Associated Protective Factors and Reducing Body Image Threats With the Nature for Body Image (NBI) Project
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06960668
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- NBI / 1216-a
- Conditions
- Body Image, Eating Behaviors, Self-Compassion, Interoception
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of PadovaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 May 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Aug 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 28 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 7 May 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Nature exposure has been found to be particularly beneficial for body image, as recent studies have identified a positive association between time spent in nature and positive body image. Positive body image, defined as the ability to accept and respect one's body, has been linked to greater life satisfaction and engagement in healthy behaviors. Conversely, negative body image is recognized as a public health concern due to its detrimental effects on both physical and mental health. It has been associated with symptoms of Body Image Disorders (BIDs), including Eating Disorders (EDs) and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).
The Nature for Body Image (NBI) project aimed to examine the impact of a structured nature exposure intervention on improving body image among young women aged 18-35 years.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Structured Nature Exposure | Experimental | Behavioral: Nature for Body ImageThe structured nature exposure sessions will be conducted twice a week, each lasting 30 minutes. Activities will include meditation, body scans, and grounding exercises in a natural setting (e.g., in a public park). |
| Simple Nature Exposure | Active comparator | Behavioral: Simple nature exposureThe simple nature exposure sessions will take place twice a week, with each session lasting 30 minutes. During these sessions, participants will spend time in nature (e.g., in a public park) without receiving specific instructions or guidance. |
| Structured Built Environment Exposure | Active comparator | Behavioral: Structured Built Environment ExposureThe structured built environment sessions will consist of five 30-minute sessions, mirroring the activities of the structured nature exposure sessions, but conducted entirely in non-natural settings. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Females
- Age 18-35 years old
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Full-blown body image disorder
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Nature for Body ImageThe intervention will include a range of activities in nature (e.g., in a public park), such as meditation, body scans, and grounding exercises. | Behavioural | Structured Nature Exposure |
| Simple nature exposureThe intervention will simply involve spending time in nature (e.g., in a public park), without specific guidelines. | Behavioural | Simple Nature Exposure |
| Structured Built Environment ExposureThe intervention will mirror the activities of the structured nature exposure intervention (e.g., meditation, body scans, and grounding exercises), but without any exposure to nature. | Behavioural | Structured Built Environment Exposure |
Primary outcome
Negative Body Image
Time frame: 5 weeks
Assessed with the Italian - Body Image Concern Inventory (I-BICI), a 19-item self-report questionnaire measuring negative body image. Scores range from 19 to 95, with higher scores indicating greater negative body image.
Body Appreciation
Time frame: 5 weeks
Assessed with the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2), a 10-item self-report questionnaire measuring body appreciation. Scores range from 10 to 50, with higher scores indicating greater body appreciation.
Functionality appreciation
Time frame: 5 weeks
Assessed with the Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS), a 7-item self-report questionnaire measuring functionality appreciation. Scores range from 7 to 35, with higher scores indicating greater functionality appreciation.
5 secondary outcomes
Dysfunctional Eating Behaviours and Risk of Developing Eating Disorders
Time frame: 5 weeks
Functional Eating Behaviors
Time frame: 5 weeks
Embodiment
Time frame: 5 weeks
Interoceptive Awareness
Time frame: 5 weeks
Self-compassion
Time frame: 5 weeks
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 16 May 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Nature for Body Image, Simple nature exposure and Structured Built Environment Exposure in people with Body Image and Eating Behaviors, run by University of Padova at 1 site in Italy.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 May 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Italy. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Silvia Cerea, PhD (++39 049 827 6683, silvia.cerea@unipd.it), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Negative Body Image (time frame: 5 weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 16 May 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 28 Oct 2026.