Evaluation of a Mindfulness-Based Mobile App Aimed at Promoting Awareness of Weight-Related Behaviors in Adolescents: A Pilot Study
Tami Turner, Melanie D. Hingle
JMIR Research Protocols April 26, 2017 DOI: 10.2196/resprot.6695 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Single-arm pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15 |
| Population | Adolescents aged 14-18 years |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based mobile app |
| Duration | 6 weeks |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 35 |
| Key points | The mindfulness-based mobile app received high acceptability and utility ratings, and adolescents reported increased awareness of eating behaviors and high adherence. Self-reported time spent in a mindfulness state increased 2.5 times from week 1 (31 seconds, SD 21) to week 6 (78 seconds, SD 17), suggesting the app may help improve awareness of weight-related behaviors. |
Abstract
Background: Mindfulness-based interventions are reported to be highly acceptable and have positive effects on youth, yet most are clinic- or school-based aimed at emotional regulation or academic performance. To provide flexible program delivery, we developed and tested a standalone mindfulness-based app aimed at improving weight-related behaviors (eg, diet, physical activity, sleep) in adolescents.
Objective: Our objective was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and utility of a mindfulness-based mobile app.
Methods: In a single-arm pilot study, 15 adolescents (14-18 years) were prompted to access the app once a day, every day for 6 weeks. Outcomes were measured by in-app and poststudy surveys, and descriptive statistical analyses were performed. Time within a mindfulness state was self-reported during weekly timed practices.
Results: The app was rated highly for content and encouraging the practice of activities to promote mindfulness states. Teens reported increased awareness of eating behaviors and high adherence, particularly during physically active practices. Average self-reported time spent in a mindfulness state increased 2.5 times by week 6 (78 [SD 17] seconds) compared to week 1 (31 [SD 21] seconds).
Conclusions: The high acceptability and utility ratings of the app, increases in reported time in mindfulness states, and high frequency of participation, including mindful eating and physical activity, suggest the mindfulness-based mobile app has the potential to improve awareness of weight-related behaviors.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- At-home use of app-based mindfulness for children: A randomized active-controlled trial. Mindfulness November 1, 2023
- Mindfulness-based interventions and their relationships with body image and eating behavior in adolescents: a scoping review. Journal of Eating Disorders May 1, 2025
- Smartphone Apps for Mindfulness Interventions for Suicidality in Asian Youths: Literature Review JMIR mHealth and uHealth June 7, 2018
- Pre-Service Teahers’ Use of Mobile-Based Mindfulness Practices During Covid-19 Pandemic Era Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra February 27, 2023
- Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mantra Meditation in a 360 Virtual Reality Environment Petra July 5, 2023
and 3 more in the library
Cites 10
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- 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
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction for the treatment of adolescent psychiatric outpatients: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2009
- How long does a mindfulness‐based stress reduction program need to be? A review of class contact hours and effect sizes for psychological distress Journal of Clinical Psychology March 23, 2009
and 5 more in the library