An Exploratory Study of a Meditation-based Intervention for Binge Eating Disorder

A 6-week meditation-based group intervention for Binge Eating Disorder (BED) was tested in 18 obese women. Binges dropped from an average of 4.02 per week to 1.57 per week, and binge severity also decreased. Scores on the Binge Eating Scale, depression, and anxiety inventories all fell significantly, while participants' sense of control increased. More time spent on eating-related meditation exercises predicted greater reductions on the Binge Eating Scale. The findings suggest that meditation training may be a useful component in treating BED.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The efficacy of a 6-week meditation-based group intervention for Binge Eating Disorder (BED) was evaluated in 18 obese women, using standard and eating-specific mindfulness meditation exercises. A single-group extended baseline design assessed all variables at 3 weeks pre-and post-, and at 1, 3, and 6 weeks; briefer assessment occurred weekly.Binges decreased in frequency, from 4.02/week to 1.57/week (p < .001), and in severity. Scores on the Binge Eating Scale (BES) and on the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories decreased significantly; sense of control increased. Time using eatingrelated meditations predicted decreases on the BES (r 5 .66, p < .01). Results suggest that meditation training may be an effective component in treating BED.