Mindfulness may not help you lose weight

There is little hard evidence that mindfulness-based programmes are effective for weight loss, scientists say.
Ohio State University researchers reviewed 19 previous studies on the effectiveness of mindfulness-based programmes for weight loss.
Thirteen of the studies documented weight loss among participants who practised mindfulness, but all lacked either a measure of the change in mindfulness or a statistical analysis of the relationship between being mindful and shedding pounds. In many cases, the studies lacked both.
The single study that did quantify simultaneous weight reductions and increases in mindfulness showed no relationship between the two.
Another study that documented participants' increase in mindfulness indicated that the intervention did not affect weight loss.

"There are many reasons to think mindfulness would be relevant for weight loss because people may have a range of behavioural and psychological responses to eating that mindfulness can address, including helping them slow down and focus on enjoying a meal," said Charles Emery, professor of psychology at Ohio State and senior author of the study.

"But our review of the research shows we still have a long way to go to provide convincing evidence of the benefits of mindfulness for weight loss and, especially, how it may work," Emery added.
Mindfulness originated in East Asian tradition and reflects the Buddhist concept of mindfulness meditation. For overall health, mindfulness is thought to help with self-control and regulation of sleep and emotions.

In the context of weight loss, mindfulness could help with management of behavioural changes that many equate to punishment - monitoring food intake, increasing physical activity and avoiding stress eating, for example.
The review is published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine.