Mindfulness Intervention for Stress Eating to Reduce Cortisol and Abdominal Fat among Overweight and Obese Women: An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Study

Jennifer Daubenmier, Jean Kristeller, Frederick M Hecht, Nicole Maninger, Margaret Kuwata, Kinnari Jhaveri, Robert H Lustig, Margaret Kemeny, Lori Karan, Elissa Epel, Jennifer Daubenmier, Jean Kristeller, Frederick M Hecht, Nicole Maninger, Margaret Kuwata, Kinnari Jhaveri, Robert H Lustig, Margaret Kemeny, Lori Karan, Elissa Epel

Abstract

Psychological distress and elevated cortisol secretion promote abdominal fat, a feature of the Metabolic Syndrome. Effects of stress reduction interventions on abdominal fat are unknown. Forty-seven overweight/obese women (mean BMI = 31.2) were randomly assigned to a 4-month intervention or waitlist group to explore effects of a mindfulness program for stress eating. We assessed mindfulness, psychological distress, eating behavior, weight, cortisol awakening response (CAR), and abdominal fat (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) pre- and posttreatment. Treatment participants improved in mindfulness, anxiety, and external-based eating compared to control participants. Groups did not differ on average CAR, weight, or abdominal fat over time. However, obese treatment participants showed significant reductions in CAR and maintained body weight, while obese control participants had stable CAR and gained weight. Improvements in mindfulness, chronic stress, and CAR were associated with reductions in abdominal fat. This proof of concept study suggests that mindfulness training shows promise for improving eating patterns and the CAR, which may reduce abdominal fat over time.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram with abdominal fat as primary analysis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean weight change and standard errors by group condition among overweight versus obese participants.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Scatter plot of correlation between changes in cortisol awaking response and changes in abdominal fat among treatment group participants.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Scatter plot of correlation between changes in emotional eating and changes in trunk to leg fat ratio among treatment group participants.

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