A qualitative exploration of self-kindness and 'treating oneself'' in contexts of eating, weight regulation and other health behaviours: Implications for mindfulness-based eating programmes

Background: Caring for oneself through mindfulness and compassion to improve or enhance health behaviors, and specifically eating behaviors has come to the forefront of scientific inquiry. The experiences and challenges for people in decision making around food within the context of self-kindness for body and mind care have not been previously explored.Aims: This study explored the experiences of eating behaviors in a community sample and examined the understanding of self-kindness and its relationship to eating behaviors and wellbeing of body and mind.Methods: A phenomenological theoretical position was taken; data were collected using individual semi-structured interviews. The sample was twenty-five members of the wider community in the West Midlands in England. The data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) procedural steps for thematic analysis.Results: Two overarching themes were inductively formulated: ‘Thinking about eating’ and ‘Caring for body and mind’. Five themes were constructed: (a) Treat food is exceptional eating, (b) The proof of the pudding is in the planning, (c) Dieting is a dirty word, which are subsumed under Thinking about eating, and (d) Self-kindness is a disavowed abstract noun, and (e) Self-kindness: A rose by any other name; under Caring for body and mind. Participants described a number of ways of treating themselves both with food and with other activities and pleasure in eating was discussed in terms of social aspects of eating rather than food. Two clear contradictions within narratives around eating and health behaviors were shown. Participants largely eschewed the concept of dieting, but described engaging in highly regulated and restrained eating. There was a lack of connection with the notion of self-kindness; although positive eating and exercise health behaviors were undertaken, they were described as necessary self-regulation, not construed as acts of self-kindness.Conclusion: The results suggests a lack of ease in the interpretation of being kind to oneself as a means of improving mental wellbeing, and an inability to relate self-kindness to physical health behaviors. The association of self-kindness with self-indulgence, and the described disconnect between hunger, satiety and pleasure in eating has implications for interpretation of mindful eating scales, practices and interventions

When Did Coloring Books Become Mindful? Exploring the Effectiveness of a Novel Method of Mindfulness-Guided Instructions for Coloring Books to Increase Mindfulness and Decrease Anxiety

Mindfulness has been associated with the use of coloring books for adults; however, the question of whether they do increase mindfulness has not been addressed. In two studies, we attempted to identify whether mindfulness is increased, and whether there is a need for ongoing guidance while coloring, similar to mindfulness meditation. In the first randomized controlled experiment, university students (n = 88) were assigned to an unguided mandala coloring group (i.e., described in mainstream literature as a mindfulness practice) or to a free-drawing group. Measurements of state mindfulness and state anxiety were taken pre- and post- experiment. Results indicated no change in mindfulness or anxiety. In the second randomized controlled experiment, university students (n = 72) were assigned to an unguided mandala coloring group (i.e., same as Experiment 1), or, to a mindfulness-guided coloring group (i.e., same as the unguided coloring group with a mindfulness practitioner guiding participants as in mindfulness breathing meditation, with instructions modified and applied to coloring). Results indicated that the mindfulness-guided mandala coloring group performed better in decreasing anxiety, but no change was observed in mindfulness. Exit interviews revealed that some participants did not like the voice guiding them while coloring, which suggested further differing and significant findings. While mindfulness-guided coloring appears promising, guidance or instructions on how to color mindfully may require further development and adjustment to enhance health and wellbeing

An exploratory examination of mindfulness, self-compassion, and mindful eating in relation to motivations to eat palatable foods and BMI

BackgroundPreliminary findings suggest that mindfulness and self-compassion training are associated with enhanced weight regulation. However, the associations between these traits and body mass index (BMI) are mixed.Participants and procedureIn a cross-sectional investigation, university students (n = 183) were asked to fill in questionnaires on mindfulness, self-compassion, mindful eating, and motivations to eat palatable foods.ResultsThe results suggest that mindfulness, self-compassion and mindful eating related negatively to motivations to eat palatable foods. Mindful eating displayed the most significant relationship. Further investigations showed that some subscales of self-compassion, mindfulness and mindful eating related to motivations to eat palatable foods and BMI more significantly. The ability to draw more and better conclusions by investigating the relationship of subscales to health behaviors and outcomes, especially with self-compassion, has been noted in previous rationales and theories. The notable relationships were (a) the enhancement subscale of the motivations to eat palatable foods, which appeared to relate positively to self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification, while (b) the coping subscale related to all subscales within the self-compassion scale.ConclusionsThe current findings support different lines of research that suggest that mindful eating, mindfulness and/or self-compassion support weight regulation. Mindfulness practices could potentially add the right motives to eat palatable foods (such as being motivated to eat when people are hungry), and potentially eat less of the foods that lead to weight dysregulation. The findings are discussed and suggested paths for further research are recommended.</jats:sec

How does mindful eating without non-judgement, mindfulness and self-compassion relate to motivations to eat palatable foods in a student population?

Background: Previous research acknowledges the impact mindfulness, mindful eating and self-compassion has upon weight regulation and motives to eat palatable foods; with mindful eating showing an increased impact of eating behaviours. Some research has identified that present moment awareness should be the primary focus of mindful eating. Aim: This research aimed to explore the relationship between mindfulness, self-compassion, and mindful eating with motivations to eat palatable food. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate this relationship amongst university students (n=211), utilizing a newly developed mindful eating scale primarily focusing on present moment awareness. Results: Results indicated significant negative correlations between both self-compassion and mindful eating and motives to eat palatable foods. Mindful eating positively correlated with self-compassion and other mindfulness elements that are suggesting indirect acceptance measurements of the mindful eating scale. Conclusion: Possible explanations and future directions are discussed further with an emphasis on the need for more empirical work. In addition, suggestions are provided regarding the reinterpretation of elements that are investigated and explored in eating literature

Development and initial validation of the trait and state Mindful Eating Behaviour Scales

Purpose The quantitative assessment of mindful eating has been challenging, even with the latest additions to the field of multifactorial mindful eating psychometric tools. This manuscript presents the development, validity and reliability assessment of a trait and state Mindful Eating Behaviour Scale across four studies driven by recent theory (Mantzios in Nutr Health 27: 1–5, 2021). Methods Study 1 assessed the content validity of the scale through ratings of clinical and research experts in the field. Study 2 inspected the scale through exploratory and confirmatory factor, parallel, correlation, and reliability analyses. Study 3 assessed the temporal stability through a test–retest in a 2-week interval. Study 4 assessed the scale in a randomized control experimental design, where a mindful eating (vs. control group) received the trait scale before consuming chocolate, and an equivalent state scale was modified to assess state changes during the 10-min eating session. Results Study 1 yielded items to be reflective and concise of the definition of mindful eating behaviour. Study 2 indicated 2 potential factors through exploratory factor analyses, which were further verified through a parallel analysis, while subscales correlation indicated one-dimensionality, which was further verified through confirmatory factor analysis. In addition, the internal consistency of the scale and subscales was good. Study 3 certified the reliability of the scale over time, while Study 4 indicated that both the trait and state scales were significant indicators of eating mindfully. Conclusions Together, all studies signal the utility of theoretically sound and empirically validated measurements for the replicable assessment of mindful eating behaviour

An exploration into knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs towards risky health behaviours in a paediatric Cystic Fibrosis population

Risky behaviours are prevalent within the cystic fibrosis (CF) population; however, there is a lack of research which has investigated risky behaviour engagement among adolescents with CF, with reasons for initiation currently being unknown, as no qualitative studies have been conducted. This research therefore examines knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs towards risky behaviours at an age commonly associated with initiation. Ten paediatric participants were recruited. Thematic analysis illustrated several psychological factors associated with risky behaviours. A desire for normalcy was evident, with this been associated with a desire to engage in normalised risky behaviours. Evidence of a life-orientated illness perspective was also prevalent, with participants believing that many individuals engage in risky behaviours for fun. Overall, there was a reported lack of knowledge on consequences of risky behaviours, with many participants not being informed of these by health care professionals (HCPs). This research provides insight into an area of CF paediatric care which could be improved on, with the provision of awareness regarding risky behaviours not being embedded within paediatric CF care. Consequently, this research demonstrates the need for interventions to be integrated into paediatric CF care for the prevention and reduction of risky behaviours

‘You Before Me’: A qualitative study of Health Care Professionals’ and students’ understanding and experiences of compassion in the workplace, self-compassion, self-care and health behaviours

Background: The importance of compassionate care within health care services is at the forefront of training and workplace policy and practice. The challenges for Health Care Professionals (HCPs) in delivering compassionate care are wide-ranging. Aims: This study explored the experiences of HCPs in delivering compassionate care and examined the impact of working in the health profession on their own health and wellbeing in order to increase knowledge around how to support HCPs in the workplace. Methods: A phenomenological approach was adopted, and individual semi-structured interviews were carried out with a sample of twenty-three qualified and student HCPs. The data was analysed using thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) procedural steps. Results: Four major themes were constructed: (a) Keeping it real: The need for authentic compassion, (b) Compassion takes time: Barriers to delivering compassionate care, (c) There’s no time to think about myself: Self compassion, self-care and health behaviours, and (d) Does anybody care? Accessing support. Participants talked of the occupational difficulties of providing high quality compassionate care and described a deficit of self-care in both their working and non-working lives. Conclusions: This study suggests an ethical and pragmatic imperative to enhance the care and support for HCPs, particularly given the current and projected shortage of HCPs alongside a suggested model of compassionate self-care for improving health and wellbeing Keywords: Health Care Professionals, Compassion, Self-compassion, Self-care, Health behaviour