title: Exploring the efficacy of an acceptance, mindfulness & compassionate-based group intervention for women struggling with their weight (Kg-Free): A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: This randomized-controlled trial aims to test the efficacy of a group intervention (Kg-Free) for women with overweight or obesity based on mindfulness, ACT and compassion approaches. The intervention aimed to reduce weight self-stigma and unhealthy eating patterns and increase quality-of-life (QoL). Seventy-three women, aged between 18 and 55 years old, with BMI ≥25 without binge-eating seeking weight loss treatment were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups. Kg-Free comprises 10 weekly group sessions plus 2 booster fortnightly sessions, of 2h30 h each. The control group maintained Treatment as Usual (TAU). Data was collected at baseline and at the end of the Kg-Free intervention. Overall, participants enrolled in Kg-Free found the intervention to be very important and helpful when dealing with their weight-related unwanted internal experiences. Moreover, when compared with TAU, the Kg-Free group revealed a significant increased health-related QoL and physical exercise and a reduction of weight self-stigma, unhealthy eating behaviors, BMI, self-criticism, weight-related experiential avoidance and psychopathological symptoms at post-treatment. Results for self-compassion showed a trend towards significance, whereas no significant between-groups differences were found for mindfulness. Taken together, evidence was found for Kg-Free efficacy in reducing weight-related negative experiences and promoting healthy behaviors, psychological functioning, and QoL.
authors.affiliation: Cognitive and Behavioral Research Centre, University of Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: larapalmeira@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Palmeira
authors.affiliation: Cognitive and Behavioral Research Centre, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pinto-Gouveia
authors.affiliation: Cognitive and Behavioral Research Centre, University of Coimbra, Portugal; Miguel Torga Superior Institute (ISMT), Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cunha
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004032:Diet; D004644:Emotions; D004645:Empathy; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D050177:Overweight; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Kg-free intervention; Obesity-related quality-of-life; Overweight and obesity; RCT; Weight-self-stigma