Spillover effects of a nudge‐based dietary intervention on physical activity and sleep among adults with type 2 diabetes: Evidence from a randomised controlled trial
Authors' conclusion
The nudge-based dietary intervention produced observable but short-lived spillover effects on daily physical activity among adults with type 2 diabetes. These findings contribute empirical evidence on cross-behavioural spillover in diabetes management and underscore the need for future research to better elucidate the mechanisms and sustainability of such spillover effects.
Study context
- Population
- Adults aged 18–59 years with T2D, 12 primary healthcare centres in Beijing, China
- Participants
- 204 vs 73
- Comparison
- 1-month nudge-based dietary intervention vs control
- Nudge-based dietary interventionn = 204
- Controln = 73reference
- Primary endpoint
- Spillover effects on physical activity (IPAQ-Short Form, step-tracking apps) and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index)
- Follow-up
- 3, 6 and 24 months
Methodological details2 × 2 factorial, 12 primary healthcare centres
- 2 × 2 factorial
- 12 primary healthcare centres
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Spillover effect on daily step counts · 3 months
Significant short-term spillover effect on daily step counts (p = 0.02)
+1105 steps
Further findings
Mediation by diabetes management self-efficacy · 3 months
- Self-efficacy did not statistically mediate the association between the dietary intervention and daily step counts
- Exploratory mediation analyses
Total physical activity and sleep quality · short-term
- Modest but nonsignificant short-term improvements
Original publication
Spillover effects of a nudge‐based dietary intervention on physical activity and sleep among adults with type 2 diabetes: Evidence from a randomised controlled trial. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 10 March 2026. doi:10.
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