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Got It, Hide thisRuffault A,Czernichow S, Hagger MS, et al.. The effects of mindfulness training on weight-loss and health-related behaviours in adults with overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis Obesity Research & Clinical Practice. 2016.
Does mindfulness training help people with overweight and obesity lose weight, decrease impulsive and binge eating and increase physical activity?
Obesity is a common condition that can result from many factors, including eating impulsively, binge eating, overeating in response to stress or depression, and physical inactivity. Research has suggested that these factors can be controlled with mindfulness training, which teaches people to be more conscious and aware of their present thoughts, feelings and experiences. Mindfulness can also help to reduce stress and depression, which are major contributors to binge and impulsive eating. Practicing mindfulness may help people recognize and reduce their food cravings, feel more motivated to exercise, and enjoy physical activity. The aim of this review was to measure whether mindfulness training improves weight loss, eating patterns and physical activity for people with overweight and obesity.
This is a review of 12 randomized control trials, including a total of 626 participants. All 12 studies were combined in a meta-analysis.
Mindfulness training decreased impulsive and binge eating and increased physical activity among participants. However, over the study period, people who received mindfulness training did not lose any more weight than those in control groups. Studies with longer follow-up periods (up to 6 months) showed greater impacts on weight loss and the authors suggest more research is needed to determine the long-term effects of mindfulness training.
Mindfulness training appears to be an effective way to help people with overweight and obesity manage impulsive or binge eating and increase physical activity.
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