Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on obesogenic eating behaviors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of mindful-based interventions (MBIs) on changes in obesogenic eating behaviors. Seven databases (CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane, Web of Science Core Collection, Embase, Sociological Abstracts) were searched. Random-effects models were performed to estimate the pooled effects, and mixed-effects models were used to explore potential moderators of MBIs on eating behavioral changes. The significant effects on mindless eating habits included controlled eating (Hedge's g = 0.23, p = 0.005), external eating (g = -0.62, p = 0.001), fullness awareness (g = 0.64, p < 0.001), hunger eating (g = -0.69, p = 0.032), energy intake (g = -0.60, p = 0.003), sweet intake (g = -0.39, p < 0.001), and impulsive food choice (g = -0.43, p = 0.002). However, small and insignificant effects were noted for stress-related eating habits like emotional eating (g = -0.27; p = 0.070) and binge eating (g = -0.35, p = 0.136). The long-term effects were significantly sustained on hunger eating (g = -0.50, p = 0.007) but insignificant on emotional eating (g = -0.22, p = 0.809). MBIs delivered in clinical settings were more effective for decreasing emotional eating compared with those in school settings. Our findings support the effectiveness of MBIs. The pooled effects on improving mindless eating habits were stronger than the modification of stress-related eating habits.