Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training for Treating Binge Eating Disorder: The Conceptual Foundation

Mindfulness-based eating awareness training (MB-EAT) is a group intervention for binge eating disorder (BED), which involves emotional, behavioral, and physiological dysregulation around food and self-identity. The training uses mindfulness meditation and guided practices to help individuals control responses to emotions, make conscious food choices, recognize hunger and satiety cues, and cultivate self-acceptance. Current evidence indicates that MB-EAT reduces binge episodes, improves self-control over eating, and lessens depressive symptoms.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This paper reviews the conceptual foundation of mindfulness-based eating awareness training (MB-EAT). It provides an overview of key therapeutic components as well as a brief review of current research. MB-EAT is a group intervention that was developed for treatment of binge eating disorder (BED) and related issues. BED is marked by emotional, behavioral and physiological disregulation in relation to food intake and self-identity. MB-EAT involves training in mindfulness meditation and guided mindfulness practices that are designed to address the core issues of BED: controlling responses to varying emotional states; making conscious food choices; developing an awareness of hunger and satiety cues; and cultivating self-acceptance. Evidence to date supports the value of MB-EAT in decreasing binge episodes, improving one's sense of self-control with regard to eating, and diminishing depressive symptoms.