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Mindfulness-based interventions for binge eating: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

Mindfulness-based interventions are increasingly used to treat binge eating. The effects of these interventions have not been reviewed comprehensively. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to summarize the literature on mindfulness-based interventions and determine their impact on binge eating behavior. PubMED, Web of Science, and PsycINFO were searched using keywords binge eating, overeating, objective bulimic episodes, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness, meditation, mindful eating. Of 151 records screened, 19 studies met inclusion criteria. Most studies showed effects of large magnitude. Results of random effects meta-analyses supported large or medium-large effects of these interventions on binge eating (within-group random effects mean Hedge’s g = −1.12, 95 % CI −1.67, −0.80, k = 18; between-group mean Hedge’s g = −0.70, 95 % CI −1.16, −0.24, k = 7). However, there was high statistical heterogeneity among the studies (within-group I 2 = 93 %; between-group I 2 = 90 %). Limitations and future research directions are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Desmond Leung for his work as an independent reviewer for data extraction.

Conflicts of interest

Kathryn Godfrey, Linda Gallo, and Niloofar Afari have no conflicts of interest to report.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

All procedures followed were in accordance with ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000. Informed consent was obtained from all patients for being included in the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, CA, USA

    Kathryn M. Godfrey

  2. VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego, CA, USA

    Kathryn M. Godfrey & Niloofar Afari

  3. San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA

    Linda C. Gallo

  4. University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Niloofar Afari

  5. VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA

    Niloofar Afari

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  1. Kathryn M. Godfrey
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Correspondence to Niloofar Afari.

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Godfrey, K.M., Gallo, L.C. & Afari, N. Mindfulness-based interventions for binge eating: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Behav Med 38, 348–362 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-014-9610-5

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