The outcomes of mindfulness-based interventions for Obesity and Binge Eating Disorder: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
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
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.