A mindful eating intervention: A theory-guided randomized anti-obesity feasibility study with adolescent Latino females.
While pediatric anti-obesity lifestyle interventions have received considerable attention, few show sustained impact on body mass index (BMI). Using the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Theory as a framework, we examined the effects of a satiety-focused mindful eating intervention (MEI) on BMI, weight and mindful awareness.


METHODS



METHODS
Utilizing a two-group, repeated measures design, 37 adolescent females with a BMI >90th percentile, recruited from a public high school in a Latino community in the Southwestern United States, were randomized 2:1, one third to the group receiving a 6-week MEI and two thirds to the comparison group (CG) receiving the usual care (nutrition and exercise information).


METHODS
During six weekly 90-min after school MEI group sessions, the behavioral skills of slow intentional eating were practiced with foci on satiety cues and triggers to overeat.


RESULTS
Feasibility and acceptability were measured as participant retention (goal ≥55%) and evaluative comments from those in the MEI group, respectively. BMI and mindful awareness were measured on site at baseline, immediately post intervention, and at 4-week follow-up (week 10).


RESULTS
Fifty-seven and 65% of those in the MEI and CG were retained throughout the study, respectively. MEI participants showed significantly lowered BMI compared with CG participants, whose weight increased (p<0.001). At six weeks, the MEI group BMI decreased by 1.1kg/m(2) (BMI continued to decline to 1.4kg/m(2) by week 10); while CG BMI increased by 0.7kg/m(2) (consistent with BMI >90th percentile standard growth projections).


CONCLUSIONS
Initial and sustained decline of BMI in the MEI group supports further study of this theory-guided approach, and the value of practicing satiety-focused mindful eating behavioral skills to facilitate health behavior change.
University of Arizona College of Nursing, United States. Electronic address: pdaly@email.arizona.edu.
Patricia
P
Daly
University of Arizona College of Nursing, United States.
Thaddeus
T
Pace
University of Arizona College of Nursing, United States.
Judith
J
Berg
University of Arizona College of Nursing, United States.
Usha
U
Menon
University of Arizona College of Nursing, United States.
Laura A
LA
Szalacha
D000293:Adolescent; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000379:methods*; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*
Adolescents; Female; Latino; Mindful eating; Mindfulness; Obesity