Can mindfulness-based approaches reduce racial/ethnic differences in weight loss interventions?

introduction

Racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected by the obesity epidemic in the U.S. and have suboptimal outcomes in traditional weight loss interventions. Evidence suggests that integrating mindfulness with weight loss strategies improves outcomes but little is known about whether this combined approach can reduce disparities. We examined racial/ethnic differences in participation and outcomes in weight loss interventions with and without mindfulness.

methods

Using data from an RCT of a 5.5 month diet and exercise weight loss intervention with and without mindfulness, we assessed racial/ethnic differences in intervention adherence, loss-to-follow-up, and weight change at 6 month intervals up to 18 months. To maintain adequate sample sizes, we aggregated racial/ethnic minority participants.

results

Participants (n=194) were 59% non-Hispanic White (NHW). Across interventions at 12 and 18 months racial/ethnic minorities had significantly less weight loss, but did not differ in adherence compared with NHWs. At 18 months, minorities in the control group had lost less weight (-0.33kg vs. -5.02kg, p <0.01) and were more likely to be lost-to-follow-up (40.9% vs. 20.0%, p=0.04) compared with NHW. Differences were not statistically significant in the mindfulness-based intervention group. Among racial/ethnic minorities, compared with the control group, the mindfulness-group had better weight loss maintenance from 6 to 18 months with a trend toward significance (p < 0.10).

discussion

A mindfulness-based intervention for weight loss may minimize racial/ethnic differences in weight loss maintenance compared to traditional diet and exercise approaches. Further research is warranted on mindfulness-based obesity interventions to address disparities among underrepresented minorities.