The Effect of a 5-Minute Body Scan Mindfulness Intervention on Healthier Food Choices (Institutional Review Board at the University of Arkansas #2001246274)

Abstract

The effects of mindfulness interventions on food purchases and consumption are popular topics. Recent studies focus on mindfulness interventions which target overweight and obese populations. We measure the effects of a guided 5-minute body scan mindfulness intervention on “healthier” food purchases in an online experiment. Specifically, we use a choice experiment approach with a between-subject design to evaluate participants’ choices of unhealthy/healthier foods. Results revealed the mindfulness intervention effectively increased state mindfulness in the treatment group. The treatment had a positive and significant effect in the overweight subsample. Additionally, we found nutrition knowledge to have a positive and significant effect on “healthier” food choices across 3 regression models and various subsamples. Our findings suggest that mindfulness interventions may be a useful, low-cost alternative to current weight loss strategies, especially for overweight and obese individuals. In addition, our findings point to the importance of nutrition knowledge in promoting “healthier” food choices.