Mindful Eating, BMI, Sleep, and Vitamin D: A Cross-Sectional Study of Cypriot and Greek Adults

Background: Obesity and related health challenges remain significant concerns in Cyprus and Greece. Mindful eating (ME) has emerged as a behavioral approach to address these issues, yet its relationship with BMI, vitamin D levels, and sleep duration in Mediterranean populations is underexplored.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine associations between ME subcategories (Awareness, Distraction, Disinhibition, Emotional, and External Cues), BMI, vitamin D levels, and sleep duration among Cypriot and Greek adults across two cohorts.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed with data collected in 2022 (N = 438) and 2023 (N = 174). Participants completed the validated Cyprus Mindful Eating Questionnaire (CyMEQ). Vitamin D levels, sleep duration, and BMI were self-reported. Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney U Tests for ME subcategory comparisons, chi-square tests for categorical variables, and Spearman correlations to examine associations.

Results: Significant differences were found between cohorts in ME subcategories, with N scoring higher in Awareness [Median (IQR): 2.60 (2.20-3.00) vs. 2.00 (1.80-2.30), = 0.02], Disinhibition [2.70 (2.50-3.00) vs. 2.50 (2.20-2.70), = 0.03], and External Cues [2.50 (2.10-2.90) vs. 2.10 (1.80-2.50), = 0.01]. ME scores were negatively correlated with BMI (r = -0.25, = 0.01) and positively associated with vitamin D levels and sleep duration. Differences in vitamin D supplementation practices were observed across groups; however, these differences did not reach statistical significance ( = 0.07).

Conclusions: ME behaviors, particularly Awareness and Disinhibition, are associated with BMI, highlighting their potential in obesity management. The interplay between ME, vitamin D, and sleep underscores the need for integrative health interventions in Mediterranean populations.