Impact of mindfulness-based eating programs on mental health outcomes in adults: A systematic review

ABSTRACT Aim This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindful eating interventions on psychological well-being and eating-related behaviours, focusing on outcomes such as anxiety, depression, emotional eating, and binge eating.

Methods: Studies published between 2016 and 2025 were systematically identified through searches of various electronic databases. Nine records met the inclusion criteria, comprising eight completed randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and one published study protocol. The study protocol was included only to describe ongoing research and was not considered in the synthesis of intervention outcomes. A narrative synthesis of the findings was conducted due to heterogeneity in intervention characteristics and outcome measures.

Results: Most studies reported positive or partially positive effects, with findings demonstrating consistent improvements in eating-related psychological outcomes, especially binge eating and emotional eating. In contrast, variable results were observed in broader psychological outcomes, such as depression and anxiety, which were more likely to improve with longer-duration interventions. More consistent benefits were generally observed with standalone mindful eating interventions than combined approaches, while limited effectiveness was shown by shorter interventions.

Conclusions: Maladaptive eating behaviours appear to be reduced effectively through mindful eating interventions by mechanisms such as enhanced interoceptive awareness and improved emotional regulation. However, their effects are less consistent on broader psychological well-being. Further, to strengthen the evidence base and determine the long-term effectiveness of these interventions, standardised outcome measures and longer follow-up periods are required.