The Effectiveness of the Mindfulness‐Based Dietary Intervention on Body Weight and Eating Behaviors

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effects of mindfulness-based dietary intervention on body weight and eating behaviors in obese individuals. METHODS: In total, 35 obese participants were randomized into the diet+mindfulness (n = 18) and diet (n = 17) groups. Participants in the diet group received only an individualized diet program, whereas those in the diet+mindfulness group received an additional 8-week mindfulness program. The anthropometric measurements and TFEQ-21 (Three Factor Eating Questionnaire) scores were recorded and compared at baseline and at the study completion. RESULTS: The decrease in body weight was higher in the diet+mindfulness group (-5.2 kg [-6.9, -3.5]) than in the diet group (-3.1 kg (-4.2, -1.9) (group*time interaction, p < 0.05). Among the TFEQ-21 factors cognitive restriction, emotional eating, and uncontrolled eating scores decreased in both groups, and each was higher in the diet+mindfulness group than in the diet group (group*time interaction, p < 0.05). In the diet+mindfulness group, the decrease in cognitive restriction (β: 1.159 (CI [0.490-1.827]), emotional eating (β: 1.093 CI [0.531-1.656]) and uncontrolled eating (β: 0.227 CI [0.036-0.418]) was found to be associated with the decrease in BMI. In the diet group, only the decrease in the uncontrolled eating (β: 0.330 CI [0.044-0.617]) score was associated with the decrease in BMI (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Integrating mindfulness practices into standard dietary interventions increased weight loss and improved eating behaviors.