Valoración y aprendizajes atribuidos al taller mindful eating en un grupo de mujeres en tratamiento de reducción de peso

Mindful eating interventions are being increasingly used to treat eating behavior problems. In overweight and obese population this tool seeks to reduce symptoms of binge eating, improve emotional regulation, and increase awareness of hunger and satiety.Aim of the study: to investigate how a group of women in weight reduction treatment assessed a mindful eating workshop and what were the main learnings they had from the program. Method: qualitative approach with an exploratory and descriptive scope. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews. Participants were 7 women between 22-54 years old. The data analysis was carried out using Grounded Theory model. Results: participants in the workshop reported changes in the way they relate to the food and themselves. Before the workshop, the participants reported not being aware of their relationship to the food, eating on autopilot, eating emotionally, bingeing, and being self-critical and punishing themselves. After the workshop, participants reported changes, experiencing increased awareness of their relationship with food, greater connection to the inner-self, and increased self-care and self-compassion. Discussion: participants had a positive assessment of the min dful eating workshop, highlighting the buffering effect of the group, considering mindfulness as a useful and long-term tool that would allow them to have a healthier relationship with food and with one-self. It would be useful to integrate this tool in weight control treatments, monitoring and reinforcing the learnings participants have from the workshop. Having this integration might help participants to continuing using the tool and, by doing that, helping them to integrate healthier eating habits in the long term.