Meditation and Eating Disorders

Meditation and Eating Disorders refers to research on mindfulness-based interventions for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.

Summary

Mindfulness-based approaches target the emotional dysregulation, body image disturbance, and rumination central to eating disorders.

Key Findings

Mindfulness-based eating awareness training (MB-EAT) reduces binge eating episodes and emotional eating. Mindfulness helps individuals notice hunger and satiety cues. Evidence for anorexia nervosa is preliminary. Meditation may reduce perfectionism and body checking behaviors.

Methodology

RCTs use MB-EAT or adapted MBSR protocols with eating disorder symptoms, body dissatisfaction, and quality of life as outcomes. Controls include psychoeducation and waitlist.

Limitations

Eating disorders have high medical risk, limiting meditation-only interventions. Sample sizes are small. Most studies exclude underweight individuals.

Verification Notes

• Kristeller & Wolever (2011) and subsequent studies inform evidence base.
• Literature reviewed through 2020s.