title: Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Weight Loss and CVD Risk Management.
abstract: Obesity affects more than one-third of U.S. adults and is a major cause of preventable morbidity and mortality, primarily from cardiovascular disease. Traditional behavioral interventions for weight loss typically focus on diet and exercise habits and often give little attention to the role of stress and emotions in the initiation and maintenance of unhealthy behaviors, which may account for their modest results and considerable variability in outcomes. Stress eating and emotional eating are increasingly recognized as important targets of weight loss interventions. Mindfulness-based interventions were specifically developed to promote greater self-efficacy in coping with stress and negative emotions, and appear to be effective for a variety of conditions. In recent years researchers have begun to study mindfulness interventions for weight loss and CVD risk management. This review describes the rationale for the use of mindfulness in interventions for weight loss and CVD risk management, summarizes the research to date, and suggests priorities for future research.
authors.affiliation: University of Massachusetts Medical School, Systems and Psychosocial Advances Research Center, Department of Psychiatry. Worcester, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fulwiler
authors.affiliation: University of Massachusetts Medical School, Center for Mindfulness, Department of Medicine Worcester, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Judson A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Brewer
authors.affiliation: Assumption College. Worcester, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Sinead
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sinnott
authors.affiliation: Brown University School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Providence, RI, USA.
authors.forename: Eric B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Loucks
keywords: CVD risk management; cardiovascular disease; interventions; mindfulness; obesity; stress eating; weight loss