Mindfulness-based intervention in adolescents at risk for excess weight gain: 1.5-year follow-up of pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) may offer a novel means of preventing excess weight gain in adolescents, theoretically by decreasing stress-eating through altering executive functioning (EF) and food-reward sensitivity.

Methods: N = 54 12-17y girls and boys at-risk for excess weight gain (i.e., BMI ≥70th percentile or two biological parents with reported obesity [BMI ≥30 kg/m²]) participated in a 1.5-year follow-up of a pilot randomized controlled trial comparing 6-week/6-session MBI (n = 29) and a health education (HE) control (n = 25). Laboratory stress-eating, food-reward sensitivity, EF, perceived stress, and BMI/adiposity were re-assessed at 1.5-years with validated measures. Changes from baseline to 1.5-year follow-up were explored with ANCOVA, accounting for the respective baseline outcome, age, and sex.

Results: Compared to MBI (M = -21, SE = 59), HE had greater increases in stress-eating from baseline to 1.5-years (M = 194, SE = 63, Cohen's d = 0.59, p = .01). There were no other between-condition differences.

Discussion: MBI may prevent worsening stress-eating for adolescents at-risk for excess weight gain. The potential for MBI as an intervention for stress-eating and ultimately, weight stabilization warrants testing in an adequately-powered trial.

Keywords: Adolescents; Executive functioning; Food-reward sensitivity; Mindfulness; Obesity; Stress-eating.

Figure 1.

Study flow of adolescents randomized to mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) or health education (HE) and followed through 18-months

Figure 2.

Changes from baseline to 1.5-year follow-up in parent-reported executive functioning (EF) for adolescents in a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) or health education (HE) control group; estimates are Mean (SE) derived from multiple imputed data and adjusted for baseline level of the EF domain, age, sex, and BMIz.

Figure 3.

Changes from baseline to 1.5-year follow-up in BMI indices (panels A-D) and adiposity (panel E) for adolescents in a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) or health education (HE) control group; estimates are Mean (SE) derived from multiple imputed data and adjusted for baseline level of the BMI/fat index, age, and sex.