In a mindful eating trial, were changes in meaning, peace and faith linked to changes in eating regulation and emotions?

Details

Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training (MB-EAT) teaches mindfulness practice and encourages a flexible relationship with food rather than reliance on externally imposed eating rules. Researchers randomly assigned 117 people with moderate to morbid obesity to the 12-session program or a wait-list group. Among the participants, 25.6% had binge eating disorder. Assessments took place before the program, immediately afterward and at a two-month follow-up.

A questionnaire assessed spiritual well-being in the areas of meaning and peace, and faith. The groups showed statistically significant differences in how these areas changed over time. Changes in these areas were also associated with changes in eating regulation, emotional adjustment and aspects of mindfulness.

The abstract does not report the direction or size of the changes or associations, so it does not show whether or how much these outcomes improved. The authors propose that spiritual engagement helps people regulate their behavior, but the reported associations do not establish that explanation.