Effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on mindful eating, sweets consumption, and fasting glucose levels in obese adults: data from the SHINE randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether mindful eating mediated the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on sweet food consumption and fasting glucose levels in obese individuals.
Results Summary
The mindfulness group showed increased mindful eating and maintained fasting glucose levels compared to the control group. Increased mindful eating was associated with reduced sweet food intake and lower fasting glucose, though this association was not statistically significant in the control group.
Population
194 obese individuals (mean age 47.0 ± 12.7 years, BMI 35.5 ± 3.6, 78% women)
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
5.5-month intervention with a 12-month assessment
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
a 5.5-month diet-exercise program with mindfulness training | increase | mindful eating | 194 obese individuals | - | evidenced increases | #1 |
a 5.5-month diet-exercise program with mindfulness training | no change | fasting glucose | 194 obese individuals | - | evidenced maintenance | #2 |
- | decrease | eating of sweets | mindfulness group participants | - | were associated with decreased | #3 |
- | decrease | fasting glucose levels | mindfulness group participants | - | were associated with decreased | #4 |
- | no change | this association | active control group participants | - | was not statistically significant | #5 |
intervention arm | neutral | changes in fasting glucose levels | - | - | partially mediated the effect | #6 |
We evaluated changes in mindful eating as a potential mechanism underlying the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention for weight loss on eating of sweet foods and fasting glucose levels. We randomized 194 obese individuals (M age = 47.0 ± 12.7 years; BMI = 35.5 ± 3.6; 78% women) to a 5.5-month diet-exercise program with or without mindfulness training. The mindfulness group, relative to the active control group, evidenced increases in mindful eating and maintenance of fasting glucose from baseline to 12-month assessment. Increases in mindful eating were associated with decreased eating of sweets and fasting glucose levels among mindfulness group participants, but this association was not statistically significant among active control group participants. Twelve-month increases in mindful eating partially mediated the effect of intervention arm on changes in fasting glucose levels from baseline to 12-month assessment. Increases in mindful eating may contribute to the effects of mindfulness-based weight loss interventions on eating of sweets and fasting glucose levels.