Dr. Nadine Zeeni is Professor of Nutrition at the Lebanese American University (LAU). She joined LAU in 2009 as the Nutrition program’s first faculty member and contributed to its establishment and development. She has since held several academic leadership roles and is currently involved in the coordination and development of Liberal Education at LAU.

Research Interests and Projects

Dr. Zeeni’s research examines the determinants and regulation of eating behavior across different populations. A major focus of her current work is the relationship between social media and eating- and body-related outcomes, including body image dissatisfaction, body checking, food cravings, emotional eating, and dietary behavior. Her research also includes preclinical animal studies examining how chronic stress influences eating behavior, food preference, and energy intake.

Dr. Zeeni has developed multidisciplinary collaborations spanning nutrition, psychology, nursing, public health, and behavioral sciences and is involved in national and international research initiatives.

Teaching and Academic Leadership

Dr. Zeeni is actively involved in teaching and curriculum development in both Nutrition and Liberal Education. Her educational approach emphasizes active and experiential learning, interdisciplinary thinking, sustainability, and the application of scientific evidence to real-world health and societal challenges.

She has contributed extensively to curriculum development and pedagogical innovation at LAU. She received the LAU Teaching Excellence Award in 2021–2022 and the School of Arts and Sciences Teaching Award in 2024–2025.

SDGs Research Mapping

Dr. Nadine Zeeni conducts research relevant to the following SDGs:

Professional Memberships

• The Obesity Society (TOS)
• American Society for Nutrition (ASN)
• Middle East Eating Disorders Association (MEEDA)
• Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA).

Selected Publications

1. Korkomaz A, Jamal S, Hakim M, Zeeni N. Social Media Use and Body Checking Behaviors: The Roles of Stress, Emotional Eating, and Self-Esteem. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. 2026;29(4):255–259. doi:10.1177/21522715261430510.
2. Zeeni N, Abi Kharma J, Ibrahim M, Chamma L, Doumit R. Social Media Use and Physical Activity Purpose Predict Body Image Dissatisfaction in Young Adults. Western Journal of Nursing Research. 2025;47(9):818–825. doi:10.1177/01939459251344724.
3. Zeeni N, Abi Kharma J, Malli D, El Khoury-Malhame M, Mattar L. Exposure to Instagram junk food content negatively impacts mood and cravings in young adults: A randomized controlled trial. Appetite. 2024;195:107209. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2024.107209.
4. Manana B, El-Jor C, Abi Kharma J, Zeeni N. Effectiveness of a text-messaging intervention on intuitive eating: a randomised controlled trial. Public Health Nutrition. 2023;26(8):1576–1584. doi:10.1017/S1368980023000939.
5. Gharibeh N, Chaumontet C, Darcel N, Fromentin G, Denis I, Zeeni N. Intermittent sucrose solution intake and its schedule of access modulate energy intake and weight gain in response to chronic variable stress in mice. Appetite. 2022;176:106123. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2022.106123.
6. Zeeni N, Abi Kharma J, Mattar L. Social media use impacts body image and eating behavior in pregnant women. Current Psychology. 2021.
7. El-Jor C, Rahi B, El Khoury-Malhame M, Mattar L, Moussa S, Zeeni N. Assessment of the World Food Programme summer camps in Lebanon: a model of effective interventions for vulnerable adolescents. British Journal of Nutrition. 2020. doi:10.1017/S0007114520003682.
8. El-Jor C, Rahi B, El Khoury-Malhame M, Mattar L, Moussa S, Zeeni N. “Assessment of the World Food Programme summer camps in Lebanon: a model of effective interventions for vulnerable adolescents.” British Journal of Nutrition, 2020, 18:1-29. doi: 10.1017/S0007114520003682s.
9. Zeeni N, Doumit R, Abi Kharma J, Sanchez-Ruiz MJ. Media, Technology Use, and Attitudes: Associations with Physical and Mental Well-Being in Youth with Implications for Evidence-Based Practice. Worldviews in Evidence-based Nursing 2018, 15(4):304-312. doi: 10.1111/wvn.12298
10. Doumit R, Abi Kharma J, Sanchez-Ruiz MJ, Zeeni N. Predictors of Disordered Eating in Young Males. Community Mental Health Journal, 2018, 54(2), 236-244.
11. Sanchez-Ruiz MJ, El-Jor C, Abi Kharma J, Bassil M, Zeeni N. Personality, emotion-related variables, and media pressure predict eating disorders via disordered eating in Lebanese university students. Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 2017, In Press.
12. Zeeni N, Zeenny R, Hasbini T, Asmar N, Bassil M, Nasser S, Milane A, Farra A, Habre M, Khazen G, Hoffart N. Student Perceptions toward interprofessional education: findings from a longitudinal study based in a Middle Eastern University. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 2016, 30(2):165-74.
13. El Khoury G, Ramadan W, Zeeni N. Herbal Products and Dietary Supplements: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Use, Attitudes, and Knowledge Among the Lebanese Population. Journal of Community Health, 2015, 41(3), 566-573.
14. Zeeni N, Doumit R, Safieddine H. Eating Disorder Outpatients in Lebanon: a descriptive cross-sectional study. Community Mental Health Journal, 2015, 53(1):117-125.
15. Doumit R, Long JA, Gharibeh N, Kazandjian C, Karam L, Boswell C, Song H, Zeeni N. Using cell phone pictures to record food intake and promote healthy eating. Worldviews on Evidence-based nursing, 2015, 13(3):216-23. 

Academic Degrees

• PhD in Human Nutrition, AgroParisTech, France
• MS in Human Nutrition, McGill University, Canada
• BS in Nutrition, American University of Beirut, Lebanon