Mindfulness in Eating Is Inversely Related to Binge Eating and Mood Disturbances in University Students in Health-Related Disciplines

Expanded mindful eating and environmental awareness: Impacts on food portion choices at restaurants

Background and aim: To find ways to encourage "ordering the appropriate amount of food" at restaurants, we examined the relationship between dietary attitudes using Expanded Mindful Eating Scale (EMES) and "ordering the appropriate amount of food." Methods: A survey was conducted on 1000 people aged 20 to 64 in Tokyo. The respondents were asked about items related to "ordering the appropriate amount of food" and then divided into two groups: low-scoring group and high-scoring group for "ordering the appropriate amount of food." For the food attitude scale, we used EMES. Then, the two groups were compared with regard to scores of EMES and demographics using Mann-Whitney's U test and chi-square test. Moreover, logistic regression analysis was performed, with the two groups of "ordering the appropriate amount of food" as the dependent variable, each subscale of EMES as the independent variable, and demographics as the adjusting variables. Results: The results showed that those who ordered an appropriate amount of food were more likely to have global environmental consideration, food appreciation, and hunger and satiety (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.41 [1.08-1.85], 1.46 [1.05-2.03], 1.67 [1.22-2.30]). However, those who could control their appetite from external stimuli and those who did not judge food as good or bad were not associated with "ordering the appropriate amount of food." Conclusions: Although causality cannot be established due to the cross-sectional design, this study suggests that promoting care for the global environment, appreciation for food, and awareness of hunger and satiety may encourage "ordering the appropriate amount of food."

Mindful Eating and Diet Quality Among US Adults With Lower Incomes

BACKGROUND

Mindful eating, a practice that encourages attention to sensations and awareness during the eating experience, has shown effectiveness in inducing positive behavioral changes. Mindful eating practices have been examined in relation to energy intake (i.e., quantity of food) but to a lesser extent to the quality of that food; hence, it is crucial to comprehensively understand the association between mindful eating and diet quality.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to examine the association between mindful eating and diet quality among US adults with lower incomes and to examine heterogeneity in the associations by gender identity.

DESIGN

This study employs a cross-sectional study design.

PARTICIPANTS/SETTING

During December 2022, a national convenience sample of 1798 US adults with lower incomes, recruited through Prime Panels, completed a web-based survey.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Diet quality was measured using the 30-day Prime Diet Quality Score screener (PDQS-30D) (score range = 0 to 126). A higher score reflects higher diet quality.

STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED

Associations between the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (score range = 1 to 4) and its 4 factors (Awareness, External Cues, Emotional Response, and Distraction) in relation to diet quality were examined using multivariable regression models, adjusting for sociodemographic covariates.

RESULTS

The mean Mindful Eating Questionnaire score was 2.30; the mean PDQS-30D score was 50.2. The associations between Mindful Eating Questionnaire scores and PDQS-30D scores were significantly modified by gender identity. Among men, a higher Mindful Eating Questionnaire score reflecting more mindful eating (β = 3.81, 95% CI 2.19 to 5.43) was associated with higher PDQS-30D scores. In addition, a higher Awareness factor score (β = 3.21, 95% CI 2.48 to 3.93), a higher External Cues factor score indicating less response to external cues (β = .76, 95% CI 0.01 to 1.52), and a higher Distraction factor score indicating less distraction (β = 1.09, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.90), were all associated with higher PDQS-30D scores. Among women, a higher Awareness factor score was associated with higher PDQS-30D scores (β = 2.50, 95% CI 1.78 to 3.22); and a higher Emotional Response factor score (ie, eating less in response to emotional eating) was associated with lower PDQS-30D scores (β = -.85, 95% CI -1.58 to -.12).

CONCLUSIONS

Mindful eating and its factors are associated with a higher diet quality among US adults with lower incomes, particularly among men. Future longitudinal and intervention studies are warranted to better understand these associations among adults with lower incomes, as an understudied population in the mindful eating literature.

Which factors influence emotional overeating among workers and students? Is online food delivery consumption involved? Results from the DELIvery Choice In OUr Society (DELICIOUS) cross-sectional study

Emotional overeating (EO) is a complex behavior that involves consuming excessive food in response to emotions, presenting health risks due to poor dietary choices. Research indicates a notable prevalence of EO, especially among females, and its association with disordered eating behaviors like binge eating (BE). The rise of online food delivery (OFD) services has raised questions about their potential role in exacerbating EO. This study aimed to explore EO behaviors among Italian workers and students, assessing the influence of various personal, socio-demographic, and lifestyle factors, including OFD. This study is a secondary data analysis utilizing the DELICIOUS survey data, conducted nationwide through social media platforms from July 12, 2022, to February 1, 2023. Participants completed validated questionnaires, including the EO Questionnaire (EOQ-5). The sample was stratified according to worker/student status. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics (chi-squared tests, Mann-Whitney tests) and multivariable logistic regression, were performed to assess the influence of key variables on EO. The sample comprised 2853 workers and 898 students, with almost 75% exhibiting EO behavior above the threshold. Several factors were significantly related to a higher occurrence of EO. Positive associations included bad health literacy, female gender, occasional smoking, higher BMI, depression risk for students, and low work-life balance, job dissatisfaction, screen time while eating, and depression risk for workers. Surprisingly, OFD usage showed no relationship with EO. While some findings align with previous research, like the depression-EO link, others, such as the absence of a link between OFD and EO, were unexpected. The results suggest that personal, socio-demographic, and lifestyle factors significantly influence EO, with OFD serving more as a means of food access influenced by individual characteristics, rather than a direct EO risk factor.

The relationship between emotional eating, mindful eating, and depression in young adults

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between eating behavior, eating awareness, and depression in young adults. Young adults aged between 18 and 25 years were included in the study. Questionnaires and body composition measurements were made face-to-face by the researcher in the interview room. The demographic characteristics were questioned through the questionnaire form. Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used. It was determined that the Mindful Eating Questionnaire total score and Beck Depression Inventory total score affected emotional eating. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the Beck Depression Inventory total score and the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire sub-scores. There was a statistically significant negative correlation Beck Depression Inventory total score and the Mindful Eating Questionnaire total score and sub-scores of mindless eating and emotional eating. In summary, depression seems to be a factor that triggers emotional eating, and emotional eating is a factor that negatively affects mindful eating.

Complementary and Integrative Health Use in Binge Eating Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Mixed-Methods Study of Binge Eating Disorder Experts' Perspectives

Introduction

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) has high lifetime prevalence rates, low treatment success rates, and high rates of treatment dissatisfaction, early discontinuation of care, and recurrence. Complementary and integrative health (CIH) interventions (non-mainstream practices used with conventional approaches for whole-person treatment) hold potential to overcome many treatment barriers and improve BED treatment outcomes. Some CIH interventions have empirical support for use in eating disorders. However, little is known about the current state of CIH use in BED.

Methods

This mixed-methods cross-sectional study collected information from BED experts about CIH use in adult BED treatment. Fourteen expert BED researchers and clinicians were identified based on federal funding, PubMed-indexed publications, practice in the field, leadership in professional societies, and/or popular press distinction. Anonymously recorded semi-structured interviews were analyzed by ≥2 investigators using reflexive thematic analysis and quantification.

Results

Expert opinions and experiences on/with CIH use were generally positive/supportive (64%) with mixed views (36%) varying by intervention and empirical support. The interventions most commonly described were mindfulness (71%), yoga (64%), and supplements/vitamins/pre-/probiotics/herbs (64%). Supplements/vitamins/pre-/probiotics/herbs had mixed views; all other interventions were generally viewed positively. The benefits most commonly associated with specific interventions (e.g., mindfulness, yoga, supplements) were: regulating/tolerating emotions/mood/stress/anxiety (50%); healing the relationship with the body/body image/movement/exercise-trauma (29%); biological/physiological benefits (29%); and directly supporting treatment ("space for self-separate from treatment," behavior change, "tolerating treatment") (29%). Intrinsic self-healing (e.g., patient-driven healing that comes from the patient's innate desire to heal based on the patient's lived experience(s)) and investigative research were also associated with CIH use broadly. Most experts (57%) expressed familiarity with existing literature/research for ≥1 CIH intervention; 50% identified a need for empirical testing. Half (50%) spontaneously described using ≥1 CIH intervention in their own clinical practice/center. The most used interventions were yoga (43%), meditation/mindfulness (29%), and acupuncture (21%). Eight experts (57%) endorsed the importance of correct implementation; 43% acknowledged CIH use in conventional treatments (2nd-wave CBT, 3rd-wave behavior therapies).

Discussion & Conclusions

CIH interventions can complement current BED treatments to improve clinical outcomes, particularly managing anxiety/stress/mood, healing the relationship with the body, addressing biological/physiological deficiencies, and tolerating treatment (thus reducing treatment dropout). Empirical testing is warranted with a particular need for randomized controlled trials and guidelines on implementation and use.

Acceptability, engagement, and preliminary efficacy of a college human physiology course with integrated mindfulness practice to support student wellbeing

Objective

To evaluate the acceptability of and engagement with an undergraduate human physiology course embedded with mindfulness practice. To assess its preliminary efficacy on student mindfulness and wellbeing.

Methods

Students (N = 36, 17% freshman, 33% sophomore, 22% junior, and 28% senior) answered online surveys at course completion. Primary outcomes were course ratings, assignment and assessment completion rates, minutes, types of mindfulness practice, changes in trait mindfulness (Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, MAAS), and self-reported wellbeing outcomes. We ran Chi-square goodness of fit tests and paired Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to decide if the outcomes differed significantly post-class. We tested the dose-response relation between mindfulness practice time and trait mindfulness and whether the out-of-class practice time was consistent across the weeks with generalized linear mixed-effect models.

Results

All participants reported finding the course enjoyable and that they would recommend it to their friends. They practiced for an average of 66 (SD = 27) min per week in the class and 112 (SD = 59) min on their own. The most common out-of-class practices were mindful movements, sitting meditation, and breathing. Per self-reports, the course increased student understanding of specific mindfulness practices and appreciation for their body. It improved wellbeing and trait mindfulness (MAAS mean within-person change = 1.2, SD = 0.8, p < 0.00001). We found no does-response relation between practice time and trait mindfulness.

Conclusions

This pilot study supports that incorporating mindfulness practice into college-level courses may promote student wellbeing and such approaches warrant further investigation.

A systematic review of observational studies exploring the relationship between health and non-weight-centric eating behaviours

Eating behaviour that does not centralise weight, otherwise known as weight-neutral, is associated with improved physical and psychological health, and greater health promoting behaviours. However, consolidated evidence is lacking. This study aimed to systematically evaluate 'health-centric' eating behaviour reflective of weight-neutral approaches, and their relationship with health (physical and mental) and health promoting behaviours. A systematic search was performed, identifying observational studies with adult populations, ≥1 physical/mental health outcome(s), and ≥1 validated measure(s) of health-centric eating behaviour. Study design, sample characteristics and outcomes were extracted and characterised into four domains. Our search identified 8281 records, with 86 studies, 75 unique datasets, and 78 unique exposures including 94,710 individuals. Eating behaviours included intuitive eating (n = 48), mindful eating (n = 19), and eating competence (n = 11). There were 298 outcomes identified for body composition, size, and physical health (n = 116), mental health and wellbeing (n = 123), health promoting behaviours (n = 51) and other eating behaviour (n = 8). Higher levels of intuitive eating, mindful eating and eating competence were significantly related to a lower BMI, better diet quality and greater physical activity. Higher intuitive and mindful eating were significantly related to lower levels of disordered eating, and depressive symptoms, and greater body image, self-compassion, and mindfulness. Greater eating competence and intuitive eating were significantly related to higher fruit and vegetable intake, and greater eating competence to higher fibre intake and better sleep quality. Our results demonstrate that 'health-centric' eating behaviours are related to a range of favourable health outcomes and engagement in health promoting behaviours. These findings help to enhance our understanding of eating behaviours that do not centre around body weight, providing support for health-centric eating behaviour in healthcare. Future research should focus on intervention studies and more diverse population groups.

Relationship of attitudes for healthy nutrition with mindful eating, motivation to participate in physical activity, and academic success: A controlled study

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we examined the relationship between university students' attitudes toward healthy nutrition with mindful eating, motivation to participate in physical activity, and academic success.

METHODS

A total of 497 healthy students aged between 21 and 38 were randomly selected from among senior students of the Faculty of Health Sciences and nonhealth-related faculties. In the study, a questionnaire form consisting of questions about the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were used, along with the Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition (ASHN), Mindful Eating Questionnaire, and Motivation Scale for Participation in Physical Activity.

RESULTS

The total scores of ASHN and MEQ were found to be significantly higher in those studying in health-related departments and those with high academic success. In addition, a significant inverse relationship was found between the total score of MEQ and BMI and waist circumference. A statistically significant and positive correlation was found between the total mean score of ASHN and the total mean score of MEQ and MSPPA.

CONCLUSIONS

It has been concluded that the development of healthy eating and lifestyle habits in university students positively affects their academic success as well as their general health.

Assessment of Intuitive Eating and Mindful Eating among Higher Education Students: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

The role of mindful eating (ME) and intuitive eating (IE) in improving eating behavior, diet quality, and health is an area of increasing interest.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review was to identify the instruments used to assess ME and IE among higher education students and outcomes related to these dimensions.

METHODS

This review was carried out according to the PRISMA statement, through systematic searches in PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and Scopus. The inclusion criteria selected for higher education students, levels of ME and/or IE reported, and observational and clinical studies. The exclusion criteria selected against reviews, qualitative studies, and case studies. Quality was assessed using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Criteria Checklist.

RESULTS

A total of 516 initial records were identified, from which 75 were included. Cross-sectional studies were the most common research design (86.7%). Most studies were conducted with samples that were predominantly female (90.7%), White (76.0%), aged 18 to 22 years (88.4%), with BMI < 25 kg/m2 (83.0%), and in the United States (61.3%). The Intuitive Eating Scale (IES), the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ), and their different versions were the most used instruments. The outcomes most studies included were eating behavior and disorders (77.3%), anthropometric assessments (47.8%), mental health (42.0%), and body image (40.6%). Regarding the quality of studies, 34.7% of studies were assigned a positive, 1.3% a negative, and 64.0% a neutral rate.

CONCLUSIONS

IES and MEQ were the most used instruments. RCT and cohort studies are scarce, and future research with a higher level of quality is needed, especially on the topics of food consumption, diet quality, and biochemical markers.

Do Mindful Eating and Intuitive Eating Affect Beverage Preferences? A Cross-Sectional Survey

Intuitive eating involves following body signals to guide eating decisions and avoiding restrictive diets. Mindful eating is paying full attention to sensory experiences and fostering nonjudgmental awareness. We aimed to elucidate potential relationships between beverage intake and intuitive and mindful eating scores. This cross-sectional exploratory study (October 2021-December 2022) enrolled adult male and female participants who provided sociodemographic and health-related information and subsequently completed the Beverage Intake Questionnaire, the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ-30), and the Intuitive Eating Scale (IES-2). Bidirectional relationships were observed between beverage intake and intuitive and mindful eating scores. The total beverage intake of males was double compared with that of females, with the intake being mainly derived from sugar-sweetened beverages (p = 0.000). Increased total water intake was positively correlated with IES-2 and its subscale scores and was negatively correlated with MEQ-30 scores in both sexes (p < 0.05). Alcoholic beverage intake was associated with reductions in IES-2 and MEQ-30 scores, whereas unconditional permission to eat increased by 18.3% in males. In females, the consumption of milk-based beverages decreased the IES-2 scores. Understanding the complex relationships between beverage intake and intuitive and mindful eating may deepen our understanding of individual dietary behaviors and inform dietary interventions.

Does mindful eating affect the diet quality of adults?

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine the relationship between mindful eating and diet quality among adults in Turkey.

METHODS

A total of 207 adults, 138 women (66.7% of 207) and 69 men (33.3%), participated. This cross-sectional survey was carried out among adults aged 20-50 y. The following data were collected from face-to-face interviews: sociodemographic variables, health information, nutritional habits, anthropometric measurements, 24-h dietary records, and scores from the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ), Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), and Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015).

RESULTS

The mean MEDAS scores of females were higher than those of males (P = 0.012). The mean HEI-2015 scores did not significantly differ between females and males (P > 0.05). The mean scores of the MEQ (P = 0.024) and its disinhibition (P = 0.005) and emotional eating (P = 0.000) subfactors were higher in males than in females. The MEQ mean score was negatively associated with daily energy (P = 0.038), carbohydrate (P = 0.046), and fat intake (P = 0.036). As the MEQ mean score increased, the greens and beans score (P = 0.009) and dairy intake score (P = 0.031) increased. A positive correlation was present between the eating discipline subfactor of the MEQ score and both the HEI-2015 (P = 0.002) and MEDAS mean scores (P = 0.001). However, no significant correlation was found between the mean MEQ and HEI-2015 scores and the MEDAS mean scores (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Developing mindful eating might be helpful for individual health promotion and quality of life by providing improvements in diet quality of adults.

Absent mindfulness: mediation analyses of the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and disordered eating among young adults

Recent evidence has indicated that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) involving abuse, neglect, and other potentially traumatic occurrences are predictive of disordered eating among young adults. Previous findings have suggested that ACEs and disordered eating were both inversely related to mindfulness. No known studies have examined the extent to which mindfulness mediates the link between ACEs and disordered eating. This study was conducted among a sample of 144 young adults in the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 26 years. Primary study variables included ACEs, mindfulness, and disordered eating. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses assessed the link between ACEs and disordered eating. Mediation analyses examined whether mindfulness mediated the link between ACEs and disordered eating. Multivariable analyses statistically adjusted for the covariates of age, sex, race/ethnicity, and income. Findings suggested ACEs were inversely related to mindfulness (B = -0.04, SE = 0.01; 95% CI = -0.07, -0.01; p < 0.05), mindfulness was inversely related to disordered eating (B = -1.27, SE = 0.23; 95% CI = -1.74, -0.80; p < 0.0001), and ACEs were positively related to disordered eating before (B = 0.17, SE = 0.04; 95% CI = 0.09, 0.26; p = 0.0001) and after (B = 0.13, SE = 0.04; 95% CI = 0.05, 0.21; p = 0.002) adjusting for mindfulness. Mediation analysis results indicated that the link between ACEs and disordered eating was significantly mediated by mindfulness (B = 0.05, SE = 0.02; 95% CI = 0.01, 0.09; p < 0.05). Evidence produced in this study confirmed existing findings concerning the positive association between ACEs and disordered eating among young adults, and these outcomes helped fill a knowledge gap regarding whether mindfulness mediates the link between ACEs and disordered eating. Future intervention studies should identify health-enhancing mindfulness approaches and then test whether the adoption of mindfulness practices can alleviate and prevent disordered eating among young adults with high ACEs.

Exploring the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention in university students: MindKinder adult version program (MK-A)

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the mindfulness-based intervention MindKinder Adult version (MK-A) program on dispositional mindfulness, trait emotional intelligence, mental health, and emotional regulation difficulties in university students. A quasi-experimental design of repeated measures pretest-posttest with a control group was used. The sample consisted of 137 university students (67.9% women, with a mean age of 19.94 years). Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 69) and the control group (n = 68). Results showed that the program stimulated a significant improvement in dispositional mindfulness, describing, non-reactivity, trait emotional intelligence, mental health and emotional confusion in the experimental group. Given the obtained results, we consider the importance and incorporation of these mindfulness-based programs in university students. Due to the general characteristics of this population, having resources that lead to improvements, such as those obtained in this study, can be of great help since, in general, we find ourselves in a context, the university, in which students are subject to high levels of stress and anxiety. Finally, the implications of these findings are discussed.

Body Dissatisfaction, Eating Styles, Weight-Related Behaviors, and Health among Young Women in the United States

Body dissatisfaction is a common condition that poses health behavior risks, such as the use of maladaptive eating styles instead of adaptive eating styles. Few studies have simultaneously examined both adaptive and maladaptive eating styles and their association with body dissatisfaction in a comprehensive manner. To address this gap, this study examined how body dissatisfaction is related to an array of adaptive and maladaptive eating styles, weight-related behaviors, and health status as well as the associations of health status, BMI, and weight-related behaviors with body dissatisfaction in 261 young adult women. Maladaptive eating styles, such as emotional eating, tended to rise in tandem with body dissatisfaction, differing significantly among body-dissatisfaction levels with medium to large effect sizes. For adaptive eating styles, as body dissatisfaction increased, compensatory restraint increased, intuitive eating declined, and mindful eating did not differ. Weight-related dietary, physical activity, and sleep behaviors did not differ by body dissatisfaction level. BMI increased and health status decreased as body dissatisfaction increased. Binary logistic regression revealed those who were body-dissatisfied had significantly lower health status, higher BMIs, and did not differ on weight-related behaviors. Study findings suggest strategies to improve health-promotion interventions aiming to increase body satisfaction.

Food addiction among university students: The effect of mindful eating

Recent evidence indicated that lifestyle modifications, especially mindful eating, might be effective interventions for treating food addiction (FA). Mindful eating practices have been considered to regulate emotional eating, which is one predictor of FA along with automatic eating behaviors, including emotional, impulsive, and habitual eating. Thus, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the effect of mindful eating on FA of university students. The research team collected the data with 2133 undergraduate students. The Mindful Eating Questionnaire examined the mindfulness status of the students, and the FA diagnosed by using the YALE Food Addiction Scale. 56.9% of participants were women, with a mean age of 21.5 ± 2.2 and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 22.5 ± 3.8 kg/m². Although no significant differences were observed regarding sex (p > .05), the FA prevalence among men (16.1%) was higher than women. The overall prevalence of FA was 15.3%, which was 1.5 units higher among those with BMI ≥25 kg/m². Also, FA diagnosis was significantly more prevalent among smokers and ex-smokers (p < .01). In addition, participants diagnosed with FA had a significantly lower mean mindful eating score (p < .001). Furthermore, those with lower mindfulness levels had a 4.96 higher risk of being food addicted (p < .000). Those with FA diagnosis had significantly lower scores regarding subscales of "disinhibition," "emotional eating," "control of eating," "mindfulness," and "interference" (p < .001). Consequently, it should be highlighted that determining the level of individuals' mindful eating may have remarkable and cumulative impacts on both obesity and FA in the long term. Thus, increasing mindful eating may be suggested as an essential strategy to control FA among young individuals.

Eating Competence, Food Consumption and Health Outcomes: An Overview

Eating Competence (EC) is one behavioral perspective of eating practices that has been associated with a healthy lifestyle. It emphasizes eating pleasure, self-regulation of eating, body weight satisfaction, and regular meal frequency that includes food variety without focusing on dietary guidelines. EC is composed of four components (Eating Attitude, Food Acceptance, Internal Regulation, and Contextual Skill), and its assessment is performed using the Eating Competence Satter Inventory (ecSI2.0™), developed and validated in English for an adult population. EC has been associated with diet quality and health indicators for various population groups and the development of skills that increase EC might be a strategy to improve nutritional health, and prevent obesity and other chronic diseases. In this sense, this study presents an overview of the background, concepts, features, and possible associations among EC, food consumption, and health outcomes. The high prevalence of diseases associated with food/nutrition draws attention to the necessity to broaden the view on food and its relationship with health and well-being, considering not only nutrients and food combinations but also the behavioral dimensions of eating practices. Healthy nutritional recommendations that take into account attitudes and behaviors are in accordance with the EC behavioral model. Studies on eating behavior emphasize the need to better understand attitudes towards food and eating in the general population using validated instruments. In this context, measuring EC and its association with health outcomes seems to be relevant to nutritional health. The complexity of food choices has been examined in social, behavioral, and biological sciences, representing a great challenge for applying unique and simple theoretical models. Multiple methods are required, as no single theory can fully explain food selection.

Is mindful eating sustainable and healthy? A focus on nutritional intake, food consumption, and plant-based dietary patterns among lean and normal-weight female university students in Japan

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between mindful eating and nutritional intake, food consumption, and healthful and unhealthful plant-based dietary patterns in young Japanese women.

METHODS

The sample comprised 215 female undergraduates who responded to a two-questionnaire anonymous survey conducted in Tokyo, Japan in 2018 and 2019 from November to December. We measured mindful eating status using the Expanded Mindful Eating Scale (EMES) and used Japanese plant-based dietary indices to determine plant-based dietary patterns. Partial correlation analyses were conducted to determine the correlation of mindful eating with energy and nutrient intake, food consumption, and plant-based dietary patterns, after adjusting for demographics and body mass index.

RESULTS

Participants with higher sub-scores in "health of the planet" and "awareness and appreciation for food" ate higher quantities of several micronutrients and plant-based foods and were more likely to have a healthful plant-based dietary pattern. They were also less likely to have an unhealthful plant-based dietary pattern. In contrast, participants with higher scores in "non-judgmental awareness" ate less protein, whole grains, and vegetables, and were likely to have an unhealthful plant-based dietary pattern.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to show that young Japanese women with normal or lean body weight were more likely to consume healthful plant-based foods when they ate mindfully.

LEVEL V

Opinions of respected authorities, based on descriptive studies, narrative reviews, clinical experience, or reports of expert committees.

Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle through Mindfulness in University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The present study explored the effects of a second-generation mindfulness-based intervention known as flow meditation (Meditación-Fluir) in the improvement of healthy life behaviors. A sample of university students (n = 51) in Spain were randomly assigned to a seven-week mindfulness treatment or a waiting list control group. Results showed that compared to the control group, individuals in the mindfulness group demonstrated significant improvements across all outcome measures including healthy eating habits (balanced diet, intake rate, snacking between meals, decrease in consumption by negative emotional states, increased consumption by negative emotional states, amount of consumption, meal times, consumption of low-fat products), tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis consumption, and resting habits. There were differences between males and females in some of these variables and a better effect of the treatment was evident in the females of the experimental group when compared to the males. The flow meditation program shows promise for fostering a healthy lifestyle, thus decreasing behaviors related to maladaptive eating, tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis consumption as well as negative rest habits in university students. This mindfulness program could significantly contribute to the treatment of eating disorders and addictions, wherein negative emotional states and impulsivity are central features of the condition.

A model of post-traumatic stress symptoms on binge eating through emotion regulation difficulties and emotional eating

Individuals who struggle with binge eating often report a history of trauma and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), but there is still a paucity of studies on the relationship between PTSS (as opposed to trauma exposure) and binge eating specifically. The current study aimed to contribute to a small body of literature surrounding the link between PTSS and binge eating. Binge eating may be a behavioral coping mechanism against negative affect; however, it has been proposed that additional psychological mechanisms (e.g. emotion regulation difficulties and emotional eating) may explain the link between PTSS and binge eating. It was hypothesized that increased PTSS severity would predict greater emotion regulation difficulties, leading to greater emotional eating, and ultimately predict more severe binge eating in a trauma-exposed sample. Cross-sectional data were collected from 360 U.S. based MTurk workers (i.e. convenience sample) who reported trauma-exposure. Demographic and relevant covariates were included in the hypothesized serial mediation model and the results suggest a significant effect of PTSS severity on binge eating problems through emotion regulation difficulties and emotional eating. When both mediators were included in the model, the direct effect of PTSS on binge eating severity was no longer significant; thus, the association between PTSS and binge eating was partly explained by emotion regulation difficulties and emotional eating. This study expands the understanding of the mechanisms underlying PTSS and binge eating and provides support for complementing therapy approaches for PTSS with methods that target emotion regulation and acceptance.