title: Mindfulness as a Weight Loss Treatment for Veterans.
abstract: Despite substantial evidence for their effectiveness in treating disordered eating and obesity, mindfulness-based treatments have not been broadly implemented among Veterans. A number of reviews have reported mindfulness to be beneficial in promoting healthy eating behaviors and weight loss among non-Veteran samples. We discuss this approach in the context of the Veterans Affairs system, the largest integrated healthcare provider in the U.S. and in the context of Veterans, among whom obesity is at epidemic proportions. In this article, we discuss what is known about treating obesity using a mindfulness approach, mindfulness interventions for Veterans, a new pilot mindfulness-based weight loss program designed for Veterans, and future directions for this type of obesity treatment in Veterans. We conclude that this population may be uniquely poised to benefit from mindfulness-based treatments.
authors: Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
authors: Michael V
authors: MV
authors: Stanton
authors: US Army Health Clinic Schofield Barracks Brain Injury Clinic , Schofield Barracks, HI , USA.
authors: Justin
authors: J
authors: Matsuura
authors: Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System , Palo Alto, CA , USA.
authors: Jennifer Kaci
authors: JK
authors: Fairchild
authors: Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System , Palo Alto, CA , USA.
authors: Jessica A
authors: JA
authors: Lohnberg
authors: Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
authors: Peter J
authors: PJ
authors: Bayley
keywords: mindfulness; obesity; veterans; veterans health; weight loss