The Effects of a Mindfulness Intervention on Ameliorating Premenstrual Hedonic Eating Patterns in College-Aged Females

The Effects of a Mindfulness Intervention on Ameliorating Premenstrual Hedonic Eating Patterns in College-Aged Females

Presenter(s)

Nicole R. Palmieri

Comments

Presentation: 2:20-2:40, Kennedy Union 222

Description

Background: Young women in college are susceptible to weight gain from a myriad of factors to include environmental and hormonal influences.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of a mindfulness intervention on food craving behaviors in women in the luteal and follicular phases of the menstrual cycle.

Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study using repeated samples one-way ANOVA and qualitative data to examine pre-intervention and post-intervention changes in cravings and mindfulness.

Results: 23 participants completed the intervention and study-related requirements pre-intervention and post-intervention. There was a trend of mean decrease in FCQ-T scores (124.83 ± 3.76 to 117.44 ± 3.67, p=0.204) and mean increase in MEQ scores (69.74 ± 5.63 to 72.57 ± 6.45, p=0.127). Menstruating women reported remorse, anger, and loss of control when cravings occur. After the mindfulness intervention, acknowledging physical sensations, emotions, hunger/fullness cues, contemplation of outcomes if the craving was or was not indulged, and engaging in mindfulness exercises resulted in a shift in how the food craving was managed.

Conclusion: Mindfulness interventions may be supportive in ameliorating food cravings in college-aged menstruating females.

Publication Date

4-17-2024

Project Designation

Honors Thesis

Primary Advisor

Jennifer Lynn Dalton

Primary Advisor's Department

Health and Sport Science

Keywords

Stander Symposium, School of Education and Health Sciences

Institutional Learning Goals

Scholarship; Vocation

The Effects of a Mindfulness Intervention on Ameliorating Premenstrual Hedonic Eating Patterns in College-Aged Females

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