Mindfulness and eating disorder psychopathology: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Mindfulness is implicated in eating disorder (ED) psychopathology. However, this literature has not been synthesized to date. The current meta-analysis examined the associations between mindfulness and ED psychopathology. METHODS: A total of 74 independent samples (effects = 576) were included. We used a multilevel random-effects model to estimate summary study-level effect sizes, and multilevel mixed-effects models to examine moderator effects. RESULTS: Mindfulness was negatively associated with ED psychopathology (r = -.25, p < .001), both concurrently (r = -.25, p < .001) and prospectively (rs = -.22 to -.24, ps < .001). Associations were strongest for binge eating, emotional/external eating, and body dissatisfaction as well as the acting with awareness and nonjudging facets. DISCUSSION: Mindfulness may be an important process in ED psychopathology. Future research should prospectively and experimentally examine the relation between mindfulness and ED psychopathology.

OBJETIVO: La atención plena (mindfulness) está implicada en la psicopatología de los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA). Sin embargo, esta literatura no ha sido sintetizada a la fecha. El presente meta-análisis examinó las asociaciones entre la atención plena y la psicopatología de los TCA. MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron un total de 74 muestras independientes (efectos = 576). Utilizamos un modelo de efectos aleatorios multinivel para estimar la síntesis de los tamaños de efecto por nivel de estudio, y los modelos de efecto mixto multinivel para examinar los efectos moderadores. RESULTADOS: La atención plena fue asociada negativamente con la psicopatología de TCA (r = −.25, p < .001), tanto concurrentemente (r = −.25, p < .001) como prospectivamente (rs = −.22-−.24, ps < .001). Las asociaciones fueron más fuertes para trastorno por atracón, alimentación emocional/externa, e insatisfacción corporal, así como también el actuar con conciencia y sin juzgar las facetas. DISCUSIÓN: La atención plena (mindfulness) puede ser un proceso importante en la psicopatología de los TCA.

Sensor technology implementation for research, treatment, and assessment of eating disorders.

Sensor technology has made huge technological advances in the past decade. Many sensor technologies (e.g., wearable wristbands) have been integrated into health research with the ability to substantially improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs. Despite the rapid technological developments in sensor technology, little research has examined sensor technology in eating disorders (EDs). The overarching aim of the current article is to briefly review the literature on sensor technology and health outcomes, including EDs, and discuss several potential ideas for the application of sensor technology in the treatment, assessment, and diagnosis of EDs. We will also present data from a feasibility case study with an ED participant and healthy control providing a brief example of how wearable sensor technology might be implemented in ED research. Overall, we will discuss how sensor technology could be used to improve treatment and assessment of EDs and represents an idea in need of more research in the ED field.

Implementation of a dissonance-based, eating disorder prevention program in Southern, all-female high schools.

Adolescence represents a high-risk period for eating disorder development, and there is great need for effective prevention programs targeted at this population. The Body Project, a dissonance-based eating disorder prevention program, has robust literature showing reductions in body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptoms. However, many additional factors (i.e., comorbid symptoms, transdiagnostic factors) have not yet been examined in relation to the Body Project. Additionally, there is little known about how to most effectively and broadly disseminate this intervention. The current study (N = 332 adolescents) examines eating disorder symptoms, comorbidities, and transdiagnostic risk factors pre- and post-Body Project and at 1-month follow-up. This study is the first examination of the effectiveness of the Body Project implemented within school programming in southern, all-female high schools. Social appearance anxiety, physical and social anxiety sensitivity, rumination, worry, perfectionism, and guilt, but not depression, cognitive anxiety sensitivity, shame, or exercise dependence, decreased pre- to post-intervention and/or 1-month follow-up. These results support the effectiveness of the Body Project in addressing eating disorder symptoms and suggest it may aid in the prevention of comorbid conditions. Additionally, the effectiveness of the intervention was comparable to past investigations, supporting its use in schools across the United States.