The effectiveness of a comprehensive mind body weight loss intervention for overweight and obese adults: A pilot study.

Author: Alert MD, Rastegar S, Foret M, Slipp L, Jacquart J, Macklin E, Baim M, Fricchione G, Benson H, Denninger J, Yeung A.
Affiliation: The Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, 151 Merrimac Street, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02143, United States.
Conference/Journal: Complement Ther Med.
Date published: 2013 Aug
Other: Volume ID: 21 , Issue ID: 4 , Pages: 286-93 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2013.05.005 , Word Count: 262



OBJECTIVES:
This pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of a comprehensive mind body intervention for weight loss in overweight and obesity and the maintenance of weight loss at 6-month follow-up.
DESIGN:
Thirty-one overweight and obese employees (Body Mass Index (BMI) 28.6-47.9kg/m(2)) from a large corporation participated in a 20-week comprehensive mind body intervention targeting weight loss.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference, rate pressure product (RPP), blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and psychological variables were collected at baseline, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up.
RESULTS:
Using linear mixed model analyses, the intervention resulted in significant mean weight loss (-4.3kg, 95% CI -5.8 to -2.8), decreases in BMI (-1.51, 95% CI -2.1 to -1.0), hip circumference measurement (-4.3cm, 95% CI -6.9 to -1.5), and triglyceride levels (95% CI -33.1 to -4.8). In 6-month follow-up after intervention, statistically significant improvements in weight, BMI and waist measurement were sustained. Participants also showed positive changes in self-reported psychological indices: food-related disinhibition, and hunger both decreased significantly (p<0.01); general self-efficacy increased (p<0.05); positive affect increased (p<0.001); physical function and self-esteem increased (p<0.01); and measures of health-promoting behaviors on 4 subscales (health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, and stress management) also showed statistically significant improvements (p<0.001) at post-intervention and 6-month follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS:
This comprehensive mind body intervention showed modest effects on physical, laboratory, and psychological outcomes, both immediately following treatment and at 6-month follow-up, in overweight and obese individuals.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
Meditation, Mind body intervention behavioral intervention, Obesity, Overweight, Relaxation Response

PMID: 23876558