Mindfulness and mindfulness meditation are all the rage. Advocates for a particular method will sometime makes claims about the effectiveness of that method without solid scientific evidence. This can be especially true for weight loss claims.
Is there medical research support for the benefits of mindfulness to help with weight loss?
An Important Meta-Study
In a meta-analysis of 19 studies published over a 10-year period, researchers found mindfulness was moderately effective for weight loss and largely effective in reducing obesity related eating behaviors (link to study summary below).
In comparing mindfulness practices with lifestyle change activities that included diet and exercise, the later group initially faired better. The diet / exercise group on average lost 4.7% of their starting body weight compared to 3.3% of starting body weight for mindfulness practitioners.
However, during later follow-up assessments, mindfulness practitioners had continued to lose weight resulting in an average reduction to 3.5% of initial body weight. The lifestyle change group gained back some of the weight, suggesting over an extended period that group could end up back at their starting point. The tendency to regain weight after successful weight loss is a reality many dieters face.
If your goal is to shed weight and enhance health, the results of this large meta-study suggest one promising approach is to engage in a lifestyle weight loss program that includes diet and exercise while also learning and applying mindfulness eating awareness. The combination of both methods may result in sustaining and even improving weight loss over time.
Of course, before engaging in any diet or exercise program, it's important to consult your physician for professional guidance and oversight.
Blessings,
Stephen Carter | Stress Solutions, LLC | www.EFT-MD.com
==> P.S. If you would like to talk with a mindfulness trainer to support weight loss, go to our "Contact Us" page at http://www.eft-md.com/contact-us.html and send a brief message.
No pressure, no obligation. Just a simple conversation.
Study links:
In comparing mindfulness practices with lifestyle change activities that included diet and exercise, the later group initially faired better. The diet / exercise group on average lost 4.7% of their starting body weight compared to 3.3% of starting body weight for mindfulness practitioners.
However, during later follow-up assessments, mindfulness practitioners had continued to lose weight resulting in an average reduction to 3.5% of initial body weight. The lifestyle change group gained back some of the weight, suggesting over an extended period that group could end up back at their starting point. The tendency to regain weight after successful weight loss is a reality many dieters face.
How to Use This Study Information
If your goal is to shed weight and enhance health, the results of this large meta-study suggest one promising approach is to engage in a lifestyle weight loss program that includes diet and exercise while also learning and applying mindfulness eating awareness. The combination of both methods may result in sustaining and even improving weight loss over time.Of course, before engaging in any diet or exercise program, it's important to consult your physician for professional guidance and oversight.
Blessings,
Stephen Carter | Stress Solutions, LLC | www.EFT-MD.com
==> P.S. If you would like to talk with a mindfulness trainer to support weight loss, go to our "Contact Us" page at http://www.eft-md.com/contact-us.html and send a brief message.
No pressure, no obligation. Just a simple conversation.
Study links:
