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The efficacy of motivational interviewing in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors: a review
Chronic lifestyle-related diseases, such as poor diet, physical inactivity, and smoking, pose significant global health challenges. This review examines the role of Motivational Interviewing (MI), a client-centered approach, in promoting behavior change toward healthier lifestyles. A systematic literature search was conducted across databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect, for publications between 2015 and 2025. The inclusion criteria were strictly focused on studies evaluating MI’s effectiveness in promoting healthy behaviors, while unrelated studies were excluded. The review encompasses a variety of study designs that assess both the effectiveness and implementation of MI across multiple health domains. Findings indicate that MI leads to short-term improvements in dietary habits, physical activity levels, smoking cessation rates, and adherence to treatment protocols. Specifically, MI fosters healthier eating patterns, encourages increased participation in exercise, and enhances smoking abstinence, while also promoting engagement in psychological therapies. However, the effectiveness of MI is contingent upon practitioner fidelity and demographic tailoring, with outcomes differing based on gender, age, and specific population needs. Despite the initial positive results, long-term benefits tend to wane due to participant dropout, logistical challenges, and socioeconomic barriers. Innovative digital and hybrid delivery models have emerged as promising solutions to enhance accessibility, scalability, and sustained adherence, marking a critical avenue for future research and implementation. MI is recognized as a versatile, evidence-based tool for encouraging healthy lifestyle behaviors. Its non-confrontational and autonomy-supportive methodology aligns effectively with various clinical and public health contexts. Future research should focus on developing scalable digital and hybrid models, strategies for achieving sustained outcomes, and implementation science frameworks to address real-world barriers. [NPID: Motivational interviewing, lifestyle, diseases, healthy behaviors, nutrition]
Year: 2025
