The relationship between dispositional mindfulness and eating : an analysis of self-reported and in vivo eating behaviors in undergraduate females.
Megan E. Jablonski
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study with randomized stress induction and self-report questionnaires (dissertation) |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 158 |
| Population | Non-clinical female undergraduates |
| Interventions | Solvable anagrams (low stress condition) unsolvable anagrams (high stress condition) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key findings | Dispositional mindfulness was negatively correlated with emotional, external, and uncontrolled eating and positively correlated with mindful eating, and participants with higher mindfulness reported less stress and negative affect after the stress manipulation. However, mindfulness did not influence the amount or type of food consumed or the accuracy of estimated intake during the experiment. |
Abstract
This dissertation theorized that higher levels of dispositional mindfulness (DM), the innate tendency to be aware and accepting of the present moment, is associated with fewer maladaptive eating behaviors, particularly in response to stress and negative emotions. Previous research has established that DM is predictive of decreased stress perception and more skillful emotion regulation. However, few studies have explored how this quality might relate to eating behaviors, which can be influenced by psychological stress and negative affect. A sample of non-clinical female undergraduates (N = 158) completed self-report questionnaires assessing DM, perceived stress, emotional regulation skills, and problematic eating patterns. Participants were also randomized to complete either solvable anagrams (low stress condition) or unsolvable anagrams (high stress condition). Four snack foods, varying in fat content (high/low) and flavor (sweet/salty), were offered for participants to consume during the stress induction, in order to examine food selection and intake. Participants also provided estimates of the amount of each food consumed, to determine whether DM was associated with greater accuracy regarding the amount of food eaten. Bivariate correlations supported the association between DM and more adaptive stress management and emotion regulation. In addition, there were significant negative correlations between DM and several maladaptive eating behaviors, including: emotional eating, external eating, and uncontrolled eating. DM was significantly positively correlated with a measure of mindful eating. Participants were classified into three groups (low, average, and high DM). ANOVA analyses revealed that individuals with higher DM scores reported significantly less stress and negative affect in response to the stress manipulation. However, DM did not influence the amount or type of food consumed or the accuracy of estimated intake. This study reaffirms the strong relationship between mindfulness and reduced reactivity to stress. Although hypotheses regarding in vivo eating behaviors were not supported, self-report data suggests an inverse relationship between DM and several negative eating tendencies. Limitations of this study included use of an undergraduate sample and the somewhat high level of suspicion reported regarding the presence of food during the experiment. This study supports the possible utility of using mindfulness-enhancing interventions to cultivate more healthy eating patterns.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 29
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
and 24 more in the library