{
  "abstract": "People living with severe mental illness experience substantial health inequalities and high rates of premature mortality, largely driven by modifiable lifestyle-related risk factors, including poor diet quality. Digital technologies may provide scalable and flexible opportunities to support healthier behaviours; however, few interventions have specifically targeted nutrition-related outcomes as a primary focus in this population. MindBia is a co-designed, web-based digital nutrition intervention consisting of six structured modules developed for individuals residing in high-support mental health hostels. The intervention was informed by prior studies with service users and mental health staff. This pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of the MindBia intervention over eight weeks. A mixed-method pre-post design will be employed. Participants will complete baseline and post-intervention assessments examining dietary behaviours, digital literacy, and general wellbeing. Engagement with the web-based application will be monitored using embedded usage analytics. Semi-structured interviews conducted post-intervention will explore participants’ experiences, perceived impact, and barriers to engagement. Findings from this pilot study will inform refinement of the MindBia web-based application and guide the design of a larger scale trial evaluating its overall effectiveness. Author summary: Severe mental illness is associated with significant physical health inequalities and reduced life expectancy. Poor diet is a major contributing factor, yet structured nutrition support tailored to this population remains limited. Many digital interventions address physical activity or smoking for people living with severe mental illness, but few focus specifically on nutrition-related outcomes, particularly those residing in high-support mental health hostels. MindBia was developed as a web-based nutrition intervention co-designed with individuals with severe mental illness and mental health staff. The intervention consists of six structured modules designed to improve food knowledge, practical skills, and confidence using accessible digital technology. In this pilot study, we are evaluating whether delivering MindBia is feasible, acceptable, and preliminary effective. By examining engagement and user experiences, we aim to refine the intervention and inform the design of a larger trial to evaluate its overall effectiveness. Accessible, co-designed digital nutrition interventions may represent an important step toward reducing health inequalities in this underserved group.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Sport, Leisure & Childhood Studies, Munster Technological University, Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland",
    "Nimbus Research Centre, Munster Technological University, Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland",
    "Health Service Executive (HSE), Kerry, Ireland",
    "Department of Applied Social Studies, Munster Technological University, Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland"
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
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        0
      ],
      "name": "Ciara O’Sullivan"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Tara Coppinger"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Indika Dhanapala"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Diarmuid Boyle"
    },
    {
      "name": "Alison Merrotsy"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5mapjhpemwepn.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pdig.0001756",
  "fulltext_url": "https://journals.plos.org/digitalhealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pdig.0001756",
  "id": "5mapjhpemwepn",
  "issns": [
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  ],
  "landing_url": "https://journals.plos.org/digitalhealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pdig.0001756",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "3202|Digital Mental Health Interventions"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Nutrition"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Nutrition/Diet"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Nutrition/Diet/Food"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Psychology/Behavior"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Computer and information sciences/Computer applications/Web-based applications"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Mental health and psychiatry"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Nutrition"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Nutrition/Diet"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Nutrition/Diet/Food"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Public and occupational health/Global health"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Research and analysis methods/Research design/Pilot studies"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Social sciences/Psychology/Behavior"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7214370740",
  "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/digitalhealth/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pdig.0001756&type=printable",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-25",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5mapjhpemwepn.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:43Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pdig.0001756",
      "source": "plos",
      "url": "https://journals.plos.org/digitalhealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pdig.0001756"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:nutrition",
      "subfield": "nutrition"
    }
  ],
  "title": "A pre-post pilot feasibility study of the MindBia web-based nutrition intervention for individuals with severe mental illness: Study protocol",
  "title_text": "A pre-post pilot feasibility study of the MindBia web-based nutrition intervention for individuals with severe mental illness: Study protocol",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:43Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5mapjhpemwepn",
  "venue": "PLOS Digital Health",
  "versions": []
}