Inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by its chronicity and frequent relapses. A large number of studies have confirmed that a scientific and reasonable diet can help alleviate the condition and improve the prognosis. Therefore, exploring the influencing factors of dietary management behaviors in patients with inflammatory bowel disease is of great significance for their health management.

To investigate the current status and influencing factors of dietary management behaviors of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and to provide reference for healthcare professionals in formulating specialized and targeted intervention measures.

A convergent mixed research design was adopted. In the quantitative component, convenience sampling was used to select patients with inflammatory bowel disease who visited the outpatient department or were hospitalized in the gastroenterology department of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University and Qingdao Municipal Hospital from August 2024 to April 2025 for a questionnaire survey. Questionnaires were used to assess patients' dietary consistency beliefs, temporal valuation of dietary management behaviors, dietary management intention, behavioral prepotency for dietary management, self-regulatory capacity, and dietary management behaviors. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the influencing factors of their dietary management behaviors. In qualitative part, purposive sampling was used to select 22 patients for semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis was conducted on the interview data.

The quantitative study included a total of 278 patients. The dietary beliefs (β=0.025, 95%CI=0.003-0.065) and the temporal valuation (β=0.150, 95%CI=0.084-0.232) could indirectly influence dietary management behaviors by affecting dietary management intentions. Behavioral prepotency (β=0.422, 95%CI=0.294-0.540) and self-regulation capacity (β=0.165, 95%CI=0.069-0.269) could directly affect dietary management behaviors (P<0.05). A total of 13 themes were extracted in the four aspects of motivation, the temporal event, outcome orientation, as well as needs and predicaments. Quantitative and qualitative research results mutually validate and complement each other at the motivational level; qualitative research results supplement quantitative research results at both the temporal event level and the outcome orientation aspects; and serves as an inspiration for quantitative research at the needs and predicament level.

The dietary management behaviors of patients with inflammatory bowel disease are not satisfactory and influenced by multiple factors at the individual and environment levels. Healthcare professionals need to timely identify the influencing factors and formulate targeted intervention plans to improve the prognosis of the disease, and enhance the quality of life of these patients.