Joanna J Arch1, Kirk Warren Brown2, Robert J Goodman3, Matthew D Della Porta4, Laura G Kiken5, Shanna Tillman6. 1. Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 345 UCB Muenzinger, Boulder, CO 80309-0345, USA. Electronic address: Joanna.Arch@Colorado.edu. 2. Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 West Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23284-2018, USA. Electronic address: kwbrown@vcu.edu. 3. Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 West Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23284-2018, USA. Electronic address: goodman.rob@gmail.com. 4. Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 West Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23284-2018, USA. Electronic address: matthewdellaporta@gmail.com. 5. Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 West Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23284-2018, USA. Electronic address: kiken@kent.edu. 6. University of Denver, 2199 South University Blvd, Denver, CO 80208, USA. Electronic address: drshannatillman@gmail.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Mindfulness-based interventions have been increasingly applied to treat eating-related problems ranging from obesity to eating disorders. Yet few studies have empirically examined the mechanisms of a mindful approach to eating. The current studies examine the potential of brief mindfulness instructions to enhance the psychological and behavioral dimensions of eating. METHODS:In three experiments (total N = 319 undergraduates), we examined whether brief mindfulness instructions would enhance the positive sensory experience involved in tasting food as well as healthy eating behaviors. RESULTS: Relative to distraction control instructions, the first two studies demonstrated that brief mindfulness instructions increased the enjoyment of a commonly pleasurable food (chocolate; Study 1), and a food with generally more mixed associations (raisins; Study 2). The third study replicated and extended these findings to show that brief mindfulness instructions also led to lower calorie consumption of unhealthy food relative to distracted or no-instruction control conditions, an effect mediated by greater eating enjoyment. CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrated the power of brief mindfulness instructions to positively impact both health-relevant behavior and sensory experience associated with eating food. Implications for both theory and clinical applications of mindfulness are discussed.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: Mindfulness-based interventions have been increasingly applied to treat eating-related problems ranging from obesity to eating disorders. Yet few studies have empirically examined the mechanisms of a mindful approach to eating. The current studies examine the potential of brief mindfulness instructions to enhance the psychological and behavioral dimensions of eating. METHODS: In three experiments (total N = 319 undergraduates), we examined whether brief mindfulness instructions would enhance the positive sensory experience involved in tasting food as well as healthy eating behaviors. RESULTS: Relative to distraction control instructions, the first two studies demonstrated that brief mindfulness instructions increased the enjoyment of a commonly pleasurable food (chocolate; Study 1), and a food with generally more mixed associations (raisins; Study 2). The third study replicated and extended these findings to show that brief mindfulness instructions also led to lower calorie consumption of unhealthy food relative to distracted or no-instruction control conditions, an effect mediated by greater eating enjoyment. CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrated the power of brief mindfulness instructions to positively impact both health-relevant behavior and sensory experience associated with eating food. Implications for both theory and clinical applications of mindfulness are discussed.
Authors: Shelly K Annameier; Nichole R Kelly; Amber B Courville; Marian Tanofsky-Kraff; Jack A Yanovski; Lauren B Shomaker Journal: Appetite Date: 2018-01-31 Impact factor: 3.868
Authors: Tracey J Devonport; Chao-Hwa Chen-Wilson; Wendy Nicholls; Claudio Robazza; Jonathan Y Cagas; Javier Fernández-Montalvo; Youngjun Choi; Montse C Ruiz Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2022-06-30
Authors: Reagan L Miller; Rachel G Lucas-Thompson; Natalia Sanchez; Amy D Smith; Shelly K Annameier; Milena Casamassima; Megan Verros; Christopher Melby; Sarah A Johnson; Lauren B Shomaker Journal: Eat Behav Date: 2020-12-08