The Effects of Mindfulness Training on Eating Behaviors and Food Intake

The Effects of Mindfulness Training on Eating Behaviors and Food Intake

The investigators propose to study the effect of mindfulness training on the eating behaviors and dietary intake of overweight or obese persons. Mindfulness skills training involves bringing non-judgmental attention to thoughts, emotions and bodily sensations - including hunger and satiety cues. It is hypothesized that as subjects advance through the 8-week class series, developing their capacity for mindfulness and in effect learn to pay attention to the sensations, assumptions, cognitions, and beliefs that underlie their eating behaviors, that their eating behaviors will improve. Specifically, the investigators hypothesize that 1) there will be significant improvements in the areas of uncontrolled and emotional eating, 2) there will be significant decreases in total caloric intake and significant increases in fruits and vegetables, and 3) there will be a positive significant relationship between the frequency/consistency of mindfulness practice and improvements from baseline to follow-up measures.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Body Mass Index (BMI) > 26

Exclusion Criteria:

• Psychotic disorders
• Poorly controlled bipolar disorder
• Borderline or antisocial personality disorder
• A diagnosed eating disorder