Honors Theses

Advisor

Jennifer Dalton DCN, RDN, LD

Department

Health and Sport Science (Dietetics Program)

Publication Date

4-1-2024

Document Type

Honors Thesis

Abstract

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.

Permission Statement

This item is protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) and may only be used for noncommercial, educational, and scholarly purposes.

Keywords

Undergraduate research

Download

Share

COinS