title: The effectiveness of a comprehensive mind body weight loss intervention for overweight and obese adults: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of a comprehensive mind body intervention for weight loss in overweight and obesity and the maintenance of weight loss at 6-month follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one overweight and obese employees (Body Mass Index (BMI) 28.6-47.9 kg/m²) from a large corporation participated in a 20-week comprehensive mind body intervention targeting weight loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  Weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference, rate pressure product (RPP), blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and psychological variables were collected at baseline, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using linear mixed model analyses, the intervention resulted in significant mean weight loss (-4.3 kg, 95% CI -5.8 to -2.8), decreases in BMI (-1.51, 95% CI -2.1 to -1.0), hip circumference measurement (-4.3 cm, 95% CI -6.9 to -1.5), and triglyceride levels (95% CI -33.1 to -4.8). In 6-month follow-up after intervention, statistically significant improvements in weight, BMI and waist measurement were sustained. Participants also showed positive changes in self-reported psychological indices: food-related disinhibition, and hunger both decreased significantly (p<0.01); general self-efficacy increased (p<0.05); positive affect increased (p<0.001); physical function and self-esteem increased (p<0.01); and measures of health-promoting behaviors on 4 subscales (health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, and stress management) also showed statistically significant improvements (p<0.001) at post-intervention and 6-month follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This comprehensive mind body intervention showed modest effects on physical, laboratory, and psychological outcomes, both immediately following treatment and at 6-month follow-up, in overweight and obese individuals.
authors.affiliation: The Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, 151 Merrimac Street, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02143, United States.
authors.forename: Marissa D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Alert
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rastegar
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Foret
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Slipp
authors.forename: Jolene
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jacquart
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Macklin
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baim
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fricchione
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Benson
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Denninger
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yeung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026441:Mind-Body Therapies / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015431:Weight Loss; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Meditation; Mind body intervention behavioral intervention; Obesity; Overweight; Relaxation Response