Effects of Mindfulness-Based Intervention on the Treatment of Problematic Eating Behaviors: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objectives: Emerging research interest focused on mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) as a complementary approach for the treatment of problematic eating behaviors. This systematic review aims to comprehensively evaluate current evidence from randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) that have used the MBIs as the treatment for problematic eating concerns. Methods: Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses method for systematic reviews, electronic databases, including Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, AMED, Web of Knowledge, PsycINFO, Scopus, and The Cochrane Library, were systematically searched to identify up to June 2017. Hand search of the reference lists of related systematic reviews was also conducted for detecting additional studies. Eligible studies were RCTs that employed MBIs as the primary intervention for people with problematic eating or body image concerns. Results: A total of nine RCTs were included in this systematic review. In the majority of included studies, participants in MBI groups showed significant reduction in emotional eating, external eating, binge eating, and weight and shape concern. Findings also suggest that increasing mindful awareness of internal experiences and automatic patterns could be effective for the improvement of self-acceptance and emotional regulation, thereby reducing the problematic eating behaviors. Conclusion: This systematic review advances the understanding of MBIs as an complementary approach for problematic eating behavior treatment. Despite the variable trial qualities and some small sample sizes, this study provides initial evidence supporting the efficacy of the application of MBIs to a range of problematic eating concerns. The application of MBIs remains a promising approach for the treatment of problematic eating and merits further investigations.

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