Testing a mobile mindful eating intervention targeting craving-related eating: feasibility and proof of concept.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Uncontrolled single-arm pre-post feasibility study without a comparison group
PubMed 28918456 · doi:10.1007/s10865-017-9884-5
What was done
Researchers evaluated a 28-day, self-paced, smartphone-delivered mindful eating intervention based on operant conditioning in 104 overweight or obese adult women (mean age 46.2 years, mean BMI 31.5 kg/m²). Food cravings and eating behaviors were assessed at baseline and 1-month post-intervention using text-message-based ecological momentary assessment, self-report questionnaires, and in-person weight measurements.
What was found
Seventy-eight participants (75.0%) completed the intervention within 7 months, and 64 completed it within 3 months. Completers experienced a 40.21% reduction in craving-related eating (p < .001) and significant reductions in self-reported overeating behavior, including trait food craving (p < .001) and other measures (ps < .01). Reductions in trait food craving significantly correlated with weight loss in timely completers (r = .30, p = .020) and trended similarly in all completers (r = .22, p = .065).
Why it matters
This study provides proof-of-concept that an automated, smartphone-delivered behavioral intervention targeting craving-related mechanisms can reduce problematic eating behaviors in overweight adults.
Limits
The study lacked a control or comparison group, preventing causal attribution of the observed changes to the intervention alone. The sample was restricted to adult women, one-quarter of participants failed to complete the protocol, and long-term durability beyond 1-month post-intervention was not measured.
Cited by
- supports A clinical trial of a mindful eating intervention among overweight women significantly reduced eating in response to cravings.