Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Exploring Mindful Eating and Weight Status Among Underserved Youth and Their Parents Living in Public Housing

  • ORIGINAL PAPER
  • Published:
Mindfulness Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

There is growing interest on the effects of mindfulness techniques, particularly mindful eating (ME), on eating behaviors and weight status. This study aimed to (1) evaluate whether the ME practices of adult parents and adolescents were associated to their respective weight status and (2) assess the relationship between a parent’s ME behaviors and those of their adolescent child. Data was collected as part of a secondary data analysis from a cross-sectional observational study conducted with primarily Hispanic parent and youth dyads (n = 57) from public housing sites in Phoenix, Arizona. Participants completed the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ) and research staff collected anthropometric data. Adjusted multivariate linear regressions were used in data analysis. No associations were observed between ME and weight status for either parents or youth. However, parent overall MEQ scores were associated with adolescent overall MEQ scores (r = 0.47, p < .01). Analysis using adjusted regressions confirmed the findings: overall adolescent MEQ score was associated with overall parent MEQ score (p < .01). These findings suggested that there may not be a relationship between weight status and ME among this low-income population. However, the relationship between parent and youth ME scores highlights the need for further research on the long-term impact ME has on weight status of youth over time.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Altman, D., Amala, D., Baerten, C., Bays, J. C., Blackwood, M., et al. (2013). The principles of mindful eating. The Center for Mindful Eating. http://thecenterformindfuleating.org/Resources/Documents/principles_handout_1_22.pdf.

  • Anderson, L. M., Reilly, E. E., Schaumberg, K., Dmochowski, S., & Anderson, D. A. (2016). Contributions of mindful eating, intuitive eating, and restraint to BMI, disordered eating, and meal consumption in college students. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 21(1), 83–90. doi:10.1007/s40519-015-0210-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ang, Y. N., Wee, B. S., Poh, B. K., & Ismail, M. N. (2013). Multifactorial influences of childhood obesity. Current Obesity Reports, 2(1), 10–22. doi:10.1007/s13679-012-0042-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arnow, B., Kenardy, J., & Agras, W. S. (1995). The emotional eating scale: the development of a measure to assess coping with negative affect by eating. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 18(1), 79–90. doi:10.1002/1098-108X(199507)18:1<79::AID-EAT2260180109>3.0.CO;2-V.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baer, R. A., Smith, G. T., & Allen, K. B. (2004). Assessment of mindfulness by self-report: the Kentucky inventory of mindfulness skills. Assessment, 11(3), 191–206. doi:10.1177/1073191104268029.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baer, R. A., Smith, G. T., Hopkins, J., Krietemeyer, J., & Toney, L. (2006). Using self-report assessment methods to explore facets of mindfulness. Assessment, 13(1), 27–45. doi:10.1177/1073191105283504.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Braden, A., Rhee, K., Peterson, C. B., Rydell, S. A., Zucker, N., & Boutelle, K. (2014). Associations between child emotional eating and general parenting style, feeding practices, and parent psychopathology. Appetite, 80, 35–40. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2014.04.017.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, R., & Ogden, J. (2004). Children’s eating attitudes and behaviour: a study of the modelling and control theories of parental influence. Health Education Research, 19(3), 261–271. doi:10.1093/her/cyg040.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, L. E., & Brown, K. W. (2004). Validation of the mindful attention awareness scale in a cancer population. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 58(1), 29–33. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2004.04.366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CDC (2012a). Basics about childhood obesity. CDC Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/basics.html. Accessed June 2016.

  • CDC (2012b). Defining overweight and obesity. CDC Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult/defining.html. Accessed June 2016.

  • CDC (2013). Use and interpretation of the WHO and CDC growth charts for children from birth to 20 years in the United States. CDC Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/growthcharts/resources/growthchart.pdf. Accessed June 2016.

  • CDC (2016). Adult obesity causes & consequences. CDC Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult/causes.html. Accessed June 2016.

  • Children’s BMI tool for schools—assessing your weight: children’s BMI tool for schools (2014). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/childrens_bmi/tool_for_schools.html.

  • Dalen, J., Smith, B. W., Shelley, B. M., Sloan, A. L., Leahigh, L., & Begay, D. (2010). Pilot study: mindful eating and living (MEAL): weight, eating behavior, and psychological outcomes associated with a mindfulness-based intervention for people with obesity. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 18(6), 260–264. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2010.09.008.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dalen, J., Brody, J. L., Staples, J. K., & Sedillo, D. (2015). A conceptual framework for the expansion of behavioral interventions for youth obesity: a family-based mindful eating approach. Childhood Obesity, 11(5), 577–584. doi:10.1089/chi.2014.0150.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Daly, P. (2013). Obese adolescent females and actual behavioral responses to a mindful eating intervention (Ph.D.). The University of Arizona. Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Full Text. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/311457.

  • Daubenmier, J., Epel, E., Kristeller, J., Hecht, F. M., Maninger, N., Kuwata, M., et al. (2011). Mindfulness intervention for stress eating to reduce cortisol and abdominal fat among overweight and obese women: an exploratory randomized controlled study. Journal of Obesity, 2011, 651936–13. doi:10.1155/2011/651936.

  • Daubenmier, J., Moran, P. J., Kristeller, J., Acree, M., Bacchetti, P., Kemeny, M. E., et al. (2016). Effects of a mindfulness-based weight loss intervention in adults with obesity: a randomized clinical trial. Obesity, 24(4), 794–804. doi:10.1002/oby.21396.

  • Davis, L., Anderson, D., & Pobocik, R. (2014a). The relationships between mindful eating, weight, and quality of life in college students. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 46(4, Supplement), S171–S172. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2014.04.246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, K., Tate, D., Gibbs, B., Lang, W., Polzien, K., Erickson, K., et al. (2014b). The impact of mindful eating behaviors on weight loss in overweight and obese adults. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 47, S231-S231.

  • Digenis-Bury, E. C., Brooks, D. R., Chen, L., Ostrem, M., & Horsburgh, C. R. (2008). Use of a population-based survey to describe the health of Boston public housing residents. American Journal of Public Health, 98(1), 85–91. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2006.094912.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Dwiggins, J. (2012). Testing the effects of a mindful-eating intervention delivered with health coaching techniques: a pilot study (M.S.). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Full Text. (920282350).

  • Fahlman, M., McCaughtry, N., Martin, J., Garn, A. C., & Shen, B. (2012). Assessing the eating behaviors of low-income, urban adolescents. American Journal of Health Education, 43(3), 165–171. doi:10.1080/19325037.2012.10599233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Framson, C., Kristal, A. R., Schenk, J. M., Littman, A. J., Zeliadt, S., & Benitez, D. (2009). Development and validation of the mindful eating questionnaire. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 109(8), 1439–1444. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2009.05.006.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Fryar, C., Carroll, M., & Ogden, C. (2012). Prevalence of overweight, obesity, and extreme obesity among adults: United States, trends 1960-1962 through 2009-2010 .Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/obesity_adult_09_10/obesity_adult_09_10.htm

  • Fulkerson, J. A., Loth, K., Bruening, M., Berge, J., Eisenberg, M. E., & Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2014). Time 2 tlk 2nite: use of electronic media by adolescents during family meals and associations with demographic characteristics, family characteristics, and foods served. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 114(7), 1053–1058. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2013.10.015.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fung, T. T., Long, M. W., Hung, P., & Cheung, L. W. Y. (2016). An expanded model for mindful eating for health promotion and sustainability: issues and challenges for dietetics practice. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 116(7), 1081–1086. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2016.03.013.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Germann, J. N., Kirschenbaum, D. S., & Rich, B. H. (2007). Child and parental self-monitoring as determinants of success in the treatment of morbid obesity in low-income minority children. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 32(1), 111–121. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsl007.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Godsey, J. (2013). The role of mindfulness based interventions in the treatment of obesity and eating disorders: an integrative review. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 21(4), 430–439.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goel, M., McCarthy, E. P., Phillips, R. S., & Wee, C. C. (2004). Obesity among US immigrant subgroups by duration of residence. Journal of the American Medical Association, 292(23), 2860–2867. doi:10.1001/jama.292.23.2860.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greaney, M. L., Lees, F. D., Lynch, B., Sebelia, L., & Greene, G. W. (2012). Using focus groups to identify factors affecting healthful weight maintenance in Latino immigrants. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 44(5), 448–453. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2011.11.008.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greco, L., Baer, R. A., Smith, G. T. (2011). Assessing mindfulness in children and adolescents: development and validation of the child and adolescent mindfulness measure (CAMM). Psychological Assessment, 23(3), 606-614. 

  • Greenberg, M. T., & Harris, A. R. (2012). Nurturing mindfulness in children and youth: current state of research. Child Development Perspectives, 6(2), 161–166. doi:10.1111/j.1750-8606.2011.00215.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton, S. E. (2014). Teaching mindful eating to children: a program to prevent and treat childhood obesity (Psy.D.). The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Full Text. (1532769656).

  • Hulbert-Williams, L., Nicholls, W., Joy, J., & Hulbert-Williams, N. (2014). Initial validation of the mindful eating scale. Mindfulness, 5(6), 719. doi:10.1007/s12671-013-0227-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kidd, L. I., Graor, C. H., & Murrock, C. J. (2013). A mindful eating group intervention for obese women: a mixed methods feasibility study. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 27(5), 211–218. doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2013.05.004.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kinard, B. R., & Webster, C. (2012). Factors influencing unhealthy eating behaviour in US adolescents. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 36(1), 23–29. doi:10.1111/j.1470-6431.2011.01005.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirby, S. D., Baranowski, T., Reynolds, K. D., Taylor, G., & Binkley, D. (1995). Children’s fruit and vegetable intake: socioeconomic, adult-child, regional, and urban-rural influences. Journal of Nutrition Education, 27(5), 261–271. doi:10.1016/S0022-3182(12)80794-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kitzman-Ulrich, H., Wilson, D. K., St. George, S. M., Lawman, H., Segal, M., & Fairchild, A. (2010). The integration of a family systems approach for understanding youth obesity, physical activity, and dietary programs. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 13(3), 231–253. doi:10.1007/s10567-010-0073-0.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Marchiori, D., & Papies, E. K. (2014). A brief mindfulness intervention reduces unhealthy eating when hungry, but not the portion size effect. Appetite, 75, 40–45. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2013.12.009.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McIntyre, L., Glanville, N. T., Raine, K. D., Dayle, J. B., Anderson, B., & Battaglia, N. (2003). Do low-income lone mothers compromise their nutrition to feed their children? Canadian Medical Association Journal, 168(6), 686–691.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, S. R., & Knudson, W. A. (2014). Nutrition and cost comparisons of select canned, frozen, and fresh fruits and vegetables. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 8(6), 430–437. doi:10.1177/1559827614522942.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, C. K., Kristeller, J. L., Headings, A., & Nagaraja, H. (2014). Comparison of a mindful eating intervention to a diabetes self-management intervention among adults with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial. Health Education & Behavior, 41(2), 145–154. doi:10.1177/1090198113493092.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ogden, C. L., Carroll, M. D., Kit, B. K., & Flegal, K. M. (2012). Prevalence of obesity and trends in body mass index among US children and adolescents, 1999-2010. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 307(5), 483–490. doi:10.1001/jama.2012.40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O’Reilly, G. A., Cook, L., Spruijt-Metz, D., & Black, D. S. (2014). Mindfulness-based interventions for obesity-related eating behaviours: a literature review. Obesity Reviews, 15(6), 453–461. doi:10.1111/obr.12156.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Pachucki, M. C., Lovenheim, M. F., & Harding, M. (2014). Within-family obesity associations. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 47(4), 382–391. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2014.05.018.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Polivy, J. (1996). Psychological consequences of food restriction. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 96(6), 589–592. doi:10.1016/S0002-8223(96)00161-7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pollack, C. E., Green, H. D., Kennedy, D. P., Griffin, B. A., Kennedy-Hendricks, A., Burkhauser, S., & Schwartz, H. (2014). The impact of public housing on social networks: a natural experiment. American Journal of Public Health, 104(9), 1642–1649. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2014.301949.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Savage, J. S., Fisher, J. O., & Birch, L. L. (2007). Parental influence on eating behavior: conception to adolescence. The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics: A Journal of the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 35(1), 22–34. doi:10.1111/j.1748-720X.2007.00111.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, G.K., & Yu, S.M. (2012). The impact of ethnic-immigrant status and obesity-related risk factors on behavioral problems among US children and adolescents. Scientifica, 2012 doi:10.6064/2012/648152

  • Singh, N. N., Lancioni, G. E., Singh, A. N., Winton, A. S. W., Singh, J., McAleavey, K. M., …, Joy, S. D. S. (2008). A mindfulness-based health wellness program for managing morbid obesity. Clinical Case Studies, 7(4), 327–339. doi:10.1177/1534650107312869.

  • Singh, N. N., Singh, A. N., Lancioni, G. E., Singh, J., Winton, A. S. W., & Adkins, A. D. (2010). Mindfulness training for parents and their children with ADHD increases the children’s compliance. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 19(2), 157–166. doi:10.1007/s10826-009-9272-z.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Snoek, H. M., Engels, R. C. M. E., Janssens, J. M. A. M., & van Strien, T. (2007). Parental behaviour and adolescents’ emotional eating. Appetite, 49(1), 223–230. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2007.02.004.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sperry, S., Knox, B., Edwards, D., Friedman, A., Rodriguez, M., Kaly, P., …, Shaffer-Hudkins, E. (2013). Cultivating healthy eating, exercise, and relaxation (CHEER): a case study of a family-centered and mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral intervention for obese adolescents at risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Clinical Case Studies, doi:10.1177/1534650113507743.

  • Story, M., Neumark-Sztainer, D., & French, S. (2002). Individual and environmental influences on adolescent eating behaviors. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 102(3, Supplement), S40–S51. doi:10.1016/S0002-8223(02)90421-9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stunkard, A. J., & Messick, S. (1985). The three-factor eating questionnaire to measure dietary restraint, disinhibition and hunger. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 29(1), 71–83. doi:10.1016/0022-3999(85)90010-8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Timmerman, G. M., & Brown, A. (2012). The effect of a mindful restaurant eating intervention on weight management in women. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 44(1), 22–28. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2011.03.143.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • van Strien, T., Frijters, J. E. R., Bergers, G. P. A., & Defares, P. B. (1986). The Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) for assessment of restrained, emotional, and external eating behavior. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 5(2), 295–315. doi:10.1002/1098-108X(198602)5:2<295::AID-EAT2260050209>3.0.CO;2-T.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vollmer, R. L., Adamsons, K., Gorin, A., Foster, J. S., & Mobley, A. R. (2015). Investigating the relationship of body mass index, diet quality, and physical activity level between fathers and their preschool-aged children. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 115(6), 919–926. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2014.12.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wall, R. B. (2005). Tai chi and mindfulness-based stress reduction in a Boston public middle school. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 19(4), 230–237. doi:10.1016/j.pedhc.2005.02.006.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wanden-Berghe, R., Sanz-Valero, J., & Wanden-Berghe, C. (2010). The application of mindfulness to eating disorders treatment: a systematic review. Eating Disorders, 19(1), 34–48. doi:10.1080/10640266.2011.533604.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the start-up funds of Meg Bruening. We would like to thank the families for participating in the study. We would like to thank the City of Phoenix Housing Department for collaborating on this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Arizona State University, 550 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA

    Rachel Goodwin, Joanna Lucio, Sonia Vega-López & Meg Bruening

Authors
  1. Rachel Goodwin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Joanna Lucio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sonia Vega-López
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Meg Bruening
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Meg Bruening.

Ethics declarations

The Institutional Review Board at Arizona State University approved the study. All participants provided written consent.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Work conducted at the Arizona State University as part of a MS thesis in the School of Nutrition and Health Promotion.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Goodwin, R., Lucio, J., Vega-López, S. et al. Exploring Mindful Eating and Weight Status Among Underserved Youth and Their Parents Living in Public Housing. Mindfulness 8, 973–983 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-016-0674-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-016-0674-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation