The Mind-Body Project

The Mind-Body Project

The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to learn if a combined mindful eating and mindful movement (yoga) program is feasible and acceptable for people with overweight/obesity. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. What is the feasibility and acceptability of an 8-week mindful eating and yoga intervention for adults with overweight/obesity?
2. Does the program bring about changes in mindfulness, dietary behaviors, and physical activity?
3. Does the program lead to positive changes in body composition, and key biomarkers of blood sugar and lipids assessed via a blood panel using a finger stick procedure (no venous blood draw).

Researchers will compare the 8-week mindful eating and movement intervention to a waitlist control group.

Participants will:

Be assigned to the 8-week intervention or waitlist group. Participate 2x/week in the mindful eating and movement sessions. Complete assessments of feasibility and acceptability as well as self-report and objective assessments describe above.

Inclusion Criteria:

• >18 years of age
• Body Mass Index (BMI) > 27 kg/m2
• Ambulatory
• Ability to read, write, and understand English
• Intention to remain in the Boston area for the duration of the study
• Good or corrected vision and hearing
• Not currently enrolled in a physical activity or nutrition study
• Affiliated with Northeastern as a student, faculty, staff, or alumni
• No participation in a weight loss study in the past 12 months
• Willingness to participate in all study measurements and activities of their assigned group
• Ability to provide informed consent
• No bariatric surgery in the past five years or plans for bariatric surgery within the study period

Exclusion Criteria:

• < 18 years of age
• BMI < 27 kg/m2
• Non-ambulatory (i.e., use of walkers, wheelchairs)
• Participation in a weight loss study in the past 12 months
• Currently enrolled in a different physical activity or nutrition study
• Significant problems with vision or hearing
• Unwilling to participate in all study measurements and/or activities of their assigned group
• Participation in guided yoga sessions in the past three months
• Adults not affiliated with Northeastern as a student, faculty, staff, or alumni
• Current cancer diagnosis and going through active treatment (chemotherapy, radiation)
• Pregnant, breastfeeding, or plans to become pregnant during the three-month intervention
• Inability to provide informed consent
• Bariatric surgery within the past five years or plans for bariatric surgery within the study period