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A structured literature review on the role of mindfulness, mindful eating and intuitive eating in changing eating behaviours: Effectiveness and associated potential mechanisms
This 2017 literature review summarizes the current evidence on the role of mindfulness, mindful eating, and intuitive eating in altering eating behaviors, describing the interventions already undertaken and explaining the tools used to measure the relevant outcomes. Warren et al. examined 68 publications, including 23 interventions carried out in either obese or overweight populations, 29 interventions undertaken in normal weight sample, and 16 observational studies (3 of which carried out in obese/overweight people). Although the evidence for the effectiveness of mindfulness and mindful eating in weight management was not strong, mindfulness-based approaches appear to show effectiveness in studies concerning binge-eating, emotional eating, and eating in response to external cues. Nevertheless, it is possible that mindfulness-based approaches prevent weight gain, as reduced food intake was reported by some studies in overweight and obese subjects. However, the extent of its impact in normal-weight participants was less clear. This review highlights the limited evidence showcasing intuitive eating’s potential in changing eating behaviors, while mindfulness and mindful eating offer promising techniques for addressing problematic eating behaviors and the challenges many face with controlling their food consumption. Mindfulness appears to work by an increased awareness of internal, rather than external, cues to eat. Employing a mindful eating approach should be recommended to those looking to manage their weight. [NPID: intuitive eating, internal hunger, satiety cues, mindfulness, obesity, binge eating, emotional eating, external eating, mindful eating]
Year: 2017
