How mindfulness influences restrictive eating through the mediation of body image: a diary report study.
Kequn Chu, Jing Ge, Huan Fan, Qinyi Wu
Frontiers in Psychology 2025 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1547354 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort with daily diary Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 65 |
| Population | Females with restrictive eating patterns |
| Duration | 6-day daily survey |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Body image Mediation effect Restrictive eating State mindfulness Trait mindfulness Disordered eating Present moment awareness Mindful living Eating behaviors Maladaptive eating patterns Dietary restriction Unhealthy eating Body satisfaction Self-perception Physical self-concept Self-esteem Psychological mechanisms Behavioral science Mental wellness Well-being Psychological health |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | Body image fully mediated the effect of state mindfulness on restrictive eating at the intra-individual level. |
Abstract
This study investigated whether body image mediates the link between mindfulness (state/trait) and restrictive eating behaviors. A 6-day daily survey of 65 females with restrictive eating patterns incorporated correlation, regression, and multilevel mediation analyses. Trait mindfulness, state mindfulness, and body image were positively interrelated, while all three demonstrated inverse relationships with restrictive eating. Both state and trait mindfulness predicted reduced restrictive eating behaviors. Critically, body image fully mediated the effect of state mindfulness on restrictive eating at the intra-individual level, suggesting that daily improvements in mindfulness enhance body image, which subsequently reduces maladaptive eating. State mindfulness mitigates restrictive eating by fostering positive body image, highlighting body image's role in mindfulness-based interventions. Further research should validate this pathway across diverse populations.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cites 4
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness and Counseling Self‐Efficacy: The Mediating Role of Attention and Empathy Counselor Education and Supervision September 1, 2009
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for psychological health and well-being in nonclinical samples: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Stress Management November 1, 2020
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health benefits. A meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research July 1, 2004