Mindfulness-based Interventions for Binge Eating: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Overview

Journal J Behav Med

Specialty Social Sciences

Date 2014 Nov 24

PMID 25417199

Citations 57

Authors

Kathryn M Godfrey

Linda C Gallo

Niloofar Afari

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

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.

Citing Articles

Journal of behavioral medicine high impact updates: an introduction to the special series.

Christensen A, Pekmezi D J Behav Med. 2025; 48(1):1-3.

PMID: 40009335 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-025-00558-x.

Mindfulness-based interventions for binge eating: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Liu J, Tynan M, Mouangue A, Martin C, Manasse S, Godfrey K J Behav Med. 2025; 48(1):57-89.

PMID: 39979674 PMC: 11893636. DOI: 10.1007/s10865-025-00550-5.

Equity in eating disorders: a dialectical approach to stigma, expertise, and the coproduction of knowledge.

Downs J, Adams M, Federici A, Sharpe S, Ayton A J Eat Disord. 2025; 13(1):31.

PMID: 39962561 PMC: 11834612. DOI: 10.1186/s40337-024-01176-9.

Complementary and Integrative Health Use in Binge Eating Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Mixed-Methods Study of Binge Eating Disorder Experts' Perspectives.

Bray B, Shallcross A, Sadowski A, Schneller M, Bray K, Bray C Int J Nurs Health Care Res (Lisle). 2025; 7(5.

PMID: 39822390 PMC: 11737546. DOI: 10.29011/2688-9501.101549.

Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on obesogenic eating behaviors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Kao T, Ling J, Alanazi M, Atwa A, Liu S Obes Rev. 2024; 26(3):e13860.

PMID: 39489689 PMC: 11791380. DOI: 10.1111/obr.13860.

References

Lillis J, Hayes S, Levin M . Binge eating and weight control: the role of experiential avoidance. Behav Modif. 2011; 35(3):252-64. DOI: 10.1177/0145445510397178. View

Higgins J, Thompson S . Quantifying heterogeneity in a meta-analysis. Stat Med. 2002; 21(11):1539-58. DOI: 10.1002/sim.1186. View

Stice E . A prospective test of the dual-pathway model of bulimic pathology: mediating effects of dieting and negative affect. J Abnorm Psychol. 2001; 110(1):124-35. DOI: 10.1037//0021-843x.110.1.124. View

Masson P, von Ranson K, Wallace L, Safer D . A randomized wait-list controlled pilot study of dialectical behaviour therapy guided self-help for binge eating disorder. Behav Res Ther. 2013; 51(11):723-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2013.08.001. View

Brownley K, Berkman N, Sedway J, Lohr K, Bulik C . Binge eating disorder treatment: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Int J Eat Disord. 2007; 40(4):337-48. DOI: 10.1002/eat.20370. View

OReilly G, Cook L, Spruijt-Metz D, Black D . Mindfulness-based interventions for obesity-related eating behaviours: a literature review. Obes Rev. 2014; 15(6):453-61. PMC: 4046117. DOI: 10.1111/obr.12156. View

Wonderlich S, de Zwaan M, Mitchell J, Peterson C, Crow S . Psychological and dietary treatments of binge eating disorder: conceptual implications. Int J Eat Disord. 2003; 34 Suppl:S58-73. DOI: 10.1002/eat.10206. View

Cohen J . A power primer. Psychol Bull. 2009; 112(1):155-9. DOI: 10.1037//0033-2909.112.1.155. View

Murphy R, Straebler S, Cooper Z, Fairburn C . Cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2010; 33(3):611-27. PMC: 2928448. DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2010.04.004. View

10.

Klein A, Skinner J, Hawley K . Adapted group-based dialectical behaviour therapy for binge eating in a practicing clinic: clinical outcomes and attrition. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2012; 20(3):e148-53. DOI: 10.1002/erv.2165. View

11.

Tapper K, Shaw C, Ilsley J, Hill A, Bond F, Moore L . Exploratory randomised controlled trial of a mindfulness-based weight loss intervention for women. Appetite. 2008; 52(2):396-404. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2008.11.012. View

12.

Dalen J, Smith B, Shelley B, Sloan A, Leahigh L, Begay D . Pilot study: Mindful Eating and Living (MEAL): weight, eating behavior, and psychological outcomes associated with a mindfulness-based intervention for people with obesity. Complement Ther Med. 2010; 18(6):260-4. DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2010.09.008. View

13.

Ost L . Efficacy of the third wave of behavioral therapies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Behav Res Ther. 2008; 46(3):296-321. DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2007.12.005. View

14.

van Strien T, Engels R, van Leeuwe J, Snoek H . The Stice model of overeating: tests in clinical and non-clinical samples. Appetite. 2005; 45(3):205-13. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2005.08.004. View

15.

Kristeller J, Hallett C . An Exploratory Study of a Meditation-based Intervention for Binge Eating Disorder. J Health Psychol. 2011; 4(3):357-63. DOI: 10.1177/135910539900400305. View

16.

Safer D, Robinson A, Jo B . Outcome from a randomized controlled trial of group therapy for binge eating disorder: comparing dialectical behavior therapy adapted for binge eating to an active comparison group therapy. Behav Ther. 2010; 41(1):106-20. PMC: 3170852. DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2009.01.006. View

17.

Iacovino J, Gredysa D, Altman M, Wilfley D . Psychological treatments for binge eating disorder. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2012; 14(4):432-46. PMC: 3433807. DOI: 10.1007/s11920-012-0277-8. View

18.

Armijo-Olivo S, Stiles C, Hagen N, Biondo P, Cummings G . Assessment of study quality for systematic reviews: a comparison of the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool and the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool: methodological research. J Eval Clin Pract. 2010; 18(1):12-8. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2753.2010.01516.x. View

19.

Courbasson C, Nishikawa Y, Shapira L . Mindfulness-Action Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for concurrent Binge Eating Disorder and Substance Use Disorders. Eat Disord. 2010; 19(1):17-33. DOI: 10.1080/10640266.2011.533603. View

20.

Epel E, Lapidus R, McEwen B, Brownell K . Stress may add bite to appetite in women: a laboratory study of stress-induced cortisol and eating behavior. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2000; 26(1):37-49. DOI: 10.1016/s0306-4530(00)00035-4. View