Effects of Mindful Eating on Female Nutrition Students
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexFemale
Age18+
SponsorFederal University of Uberlandia
About this trial
The goal of this pilot randomized clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of a mindful eating intervention ("Eat for Life") on eating behavior, body image, and mental health in female nutrition students. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does a mindful eating intervention reduce disordered eating behaviors in female nutrition students? Does the intervention improve body appreciation, mindfulness levels, and mental health?
Researchers will compare an active control group receiving nutritional guidance to an intervention group participating in the "Eat for Life" mindful eating program to see if the mindful eating intervention reduces disordered eating behaviors and improves overall psychological well-being and body appreciation.
Participants will: Complete online questionnaires evaluating eating behavior, mindfulness, mental health, and body image at three distinct time points: before the intervention (baseline), post-intervention, and at a 3-month follow-up.
If assigned to the intervention group, attend 12 weekly face-to-face mindful eating sessions lasting approximately two hours each. If assigned to the active control group, receive weekly informative leaflets via WhatsApp with nutritional guidance based on the Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population for 12 weeks
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Female gender
Active enrollment in the Nutrition undergraduate program at the time of data collection
Agreement to participate in the study
Disqualifiers
Diagnosis of severe cognitive or mental disorders; Regular practice (at least once a week in the last six months) of meditation, yoga, or mindfulness
Regular practice (at least once a week in the last six months) of meditation, yoga, or mindfulness
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
"Eat for Life" Mindful Eating Program
BehavioralA 12-week face-to-face mindful eating behavioral intervention. Participants will attend weekly sessions of approximately two hours led by a certified researcher. The program integrates formal mindfulness practices, group discussions, and reflections on personal values, self-compassion, body acceptance, and body appreciation to promote a conscious relationship with food, emotions, and the body.
Standard Nutritional Guidance
BehavioralAn active control intervention consisting of standard nutritional education. Participants will receive informative leaflets weekly via WhatsApp over a 12-week period. The content is based on the "Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population" (Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira), providing standard health and nutrition information without any mindfulness or mindful eating components.
Treatment groups
88 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Experimental: Eat for Life ProgramExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Active Comparator: Nutritional GuidanceActive comparator 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Change in Disordered Eating Attitudes and Behaviors (EAT-26)
Assessed using the validated Brazilian Portuguese version of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). Each item is answered on a 6-point Likert scale, with total scores ranging from 0 to 78. Higher scores indicate greater severity of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. A score of 21 or above indicates a positive screening for disordered eating (higher score = worse outcome).
Time frame
Baseline (pre-intervention), Week 12 (immediately post-intervention), and 3 months post-intervention (follow-up).Secondary outcomes
1
Change in Intuitive Eating Behaviors (IES-2)
Assessed using the validated Brazilian Portuguese version of the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2). The 23-item scale measures an individual's tendency to follow physical hunger and satiety cues rather than emotional cues, encompassing four factors. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1-5), with total scores ranging from 23 to 115. Higher scores indicate greater alignment with intuitive eating principles (higher score = better outcome).
Time frame
Baseline (pre-intervention), Week 12 (immediately post-intervention), and 3 months post-intervention (follow-up)2
Change in Mindfulness Levels (FFMQ)
Assessed using the validated Brazilian Portuguese version of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-BR). The FFMQ-BR consists of 39 items structured into seven factors, all demonstrating good internal consistency. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1-5), with total scores ranging from 39 to 195. Higher scores indicate greater dispositional mindfulness (higher score = better outcome).
Time frame
Baseline (pre-intervention), Week 12 (immediately post-intervention), and 3 months post-intervention (follow-up)3
Change in Mental Health Symptoms (DASS-21)
Assessed using the validated Brazilian Portuguese version of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). The DASS-21 is a 21-item instrument assessing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress across three subscales of seven items each. Subscale scores are calculated as the sum of seven items multiplied by two, yielding a range of 0 to 42 per subscale. Scores correspond to severity levels ranging from normal to extremely severe. Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity (higher score = worse outcome). Subscale scores are reported separately.
Time frame
Baseline (pre-intervention), Week 12 (immediately post-intervention), and 3 months post-intervention (follow-up)4
Change in Body Appreciation (BAS-2)
Assessed using the validated Brazilian Portuguese version of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2). The 10-item scale evaluates acceptance, favorable opinions, and respect toward one's own body, demonstrating a one-dimensional structure with adequate internal consistency and construct validity. The total score is calculated as the mean of all items, ranging from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate greater body appreciation (higher score = better outcome).
Time frame
Baseline (pre-intervention), Week 12 (immediately post-intervention), and 3 months post-intervention (follow-up)Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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