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The outcomes of mindfulness-based interventions for Obesity and Binge Eating Disorder: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Appetite
January 1, 1970
Daniela Mercado et al. (6 authors)
Journal ArticleMeta-AnalysisResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to compare the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) with control groups focusing on dietary or exercise-based behavioral changes in individuals with overweight/obesity and/or binge eating disorder (BED).

Results Summary

MBIs were more effective than controls in increasing mindfulness scores and reducing BED symptoms but showed no significant advantage in reducing body mass. Longer interventions improved mindfulness and BED symptoms more, while shorter interventions showed greater reductions in body mass.

Population

Individuals with overweight/obesity and/or binge eating disorder (BED).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Varied (6 to 24 weeks)

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Mindfulness Based Interventions (MBIs)
increase
mindfulness scores
individuals with overweight/obesity and/or binge eating disorder (BED)
-
were more efficacious than control in increasing
#1
Mindfulness Based Interventions (MBIs)
decrease
BED symptoms
individuals with overweight/obesity and/or binge eating disorder (BED)
-
were more efficacious than control in decreasing
#2
Mindfulness Based Interventions (MBIs)
no change
body mass
individuals with overweight/obesity and/or binge eating disorder (BED)
-
were no more efficacious than control in reducing
#3
shorter interventions (i.e., 6 weeks)
decrease
body mass
individuals with overweight/obesity and/or binge eating disorder (BED)
-
showed greater reductions in
#4
longer interventions (i.e., 24 weeks)
increase
mindfulness scores
individuals with overweight/obesity and/or binge eating disorder (BED)
-
led to greater improvements in
#5
longer interventions (i.e., 24 weeks)
decrease
BED symptoms
individuals with overweight/obesity and/or binge eating disorder (BED)
-
led to greater improvements in
#6
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Mindfulness Based Interventions (MBIs) for weight loss and overeating-related behaviours have recently gained popularity. Previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses included studies of variable quality, which hinders interpretation of results. This meta-analysis examined only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of MBIs with control groups primarily encouraging either dietary or exercise-based behavioural change in individuals with overweight/obesity and/or binge eating disorder (BED). METHODS: Using PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed relevant articles in Medline, Psychinfo and EMBASE. Twelve eligible RCTs were identified, with three random-effects meta-analyses conducted on primary outcome measures of body mass (N = 11), mindfulness (N = 7) and BED symptoms (N = 3). RESULTS: MBIs were more efficacious than control in increasing mindfulness scores and decreasing BED symptoms from pre-to post-treatment. However, they were no more efficacious than control in reducing body mass which may be attributed to variability in the duration of interventions. Based on intervention duration, exploratory cumulative meta-analyses revealed that while shorter interventions (i.e., 6 weeks) showed greater reductions in body mass compared to longer interventions (i.e., 24 weeks), longer interventions led to greater improvements in mindfulness scores and BED symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the potential of MBIs to improve obesity-related behaviours compared to lifestyle interventions, but their effects on short-term weight loss remain unclear. Future research with a rigorous methodology should consider long-term follow-ups including body mass and mindfulness-related outcome measures in order to establish the clinical potential of MBIs.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Binge-Eating DisorderHumansMindfulnessObesityOverweightRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicWeight Loss
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy70/10
Quality85/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations23
Citations/Year5.8
Relative Citation Ratio3.01
NIH Percentile85.1%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.83
Normalized Score0.65
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