Mindfulness and Eating Disorders: Latest Research on Binge Eating Disorder and Bulimia Nervosa

Mindfulness, a practice rooted in paying non-judgmental attention to the present moment, has emerged as a promising approach to treating various mental health conditions, including eating disorders such as Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN).  New research is shedding light on how mindfulness-based interventions can help individuals improve their relationship with food as well as their emotional well-being. Let’s explore the latest findings on how mindfulness is being utilized to treat BED and BN. 

What is Mindfulness?

At its core, mindfulness involves the intentional, non-judgmental awareness of one’s thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and the surrounding environment. In the context of eating disorders, mindfulness helps individuals tune into their hunger cues, become more aware of emotional triggers, and ultimately cultivate a more compassionate relationship with food. Mindfulness-based interventions, such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), have been increasingly used as part of integrated therapeutic approaches to treat disordered eating behaviors.

Binge Eating Disorder and Mindfulness

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is characterized by recurrent episodes of consuming large quantities of food, typically accompanied by emotional distress and guilt. Unlike other eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia, BED is not associated with compensatory behaviors like purging or excessive exercise. As the most common eating disorder in the United States, BED has attracted significant attention from researchers studying its psychological origins and treatment options.

Recent research suggests that mindfulness can be particularly effective in reducing binge episodes and improving emotional regulation for individuals with BED.

1. Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs)
   

   A 2021 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that mindfulness-based interventions significantly reduced the severity of binge eating episodes in individuals with BED. The study indicated that MBIs, particularly Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), resulted in a reduction of binge eating episodes by approximately 50%, with long-term benefits observed in follow-up assessments1. This finding highlights the potential of mindfulness not only for immediate symptom reduction but also for sustained recovery.

    

2. Improving Emotional Regulation
   

   Emotional regulation is a key challenge for individuals with BED, as many binge eating episodes are triggered by negative emotions such as anxiety, sadness, or stress. Mindfulness practices can help individuals become more aware of their emotional states and reduce emotional reactivity. One study showed that practicing mindfulness meditation decreased binge eating and emotional eating due to improved emotional regulation.2

    

3. Use of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
   

   DBT is also being explored as a tool for reducing emotional dysregulation in individuals with BED.  Originally developed as a modality for improving emotional regulation in personality disorders, more research is showing mindfulness-based strategies of DBT are effective in treating BED.  In a meta-analysis of eleven studies, DBT demonstrated greater efficacy compared with the control group in improving emotion dysregulation.3

Bulimia Nervosa and Mindfulness

Bulimia Nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as purging (vomiting or using laxatives), excessive exercise, or fasting. The disorder is often accompanied by severe body image distortion and extreme anxiety about weight and shape. Treatment for BN requires a multifaceted approach, but mindfulness is gaining recognition as a promising tool to address the psychological and behavioral components of the disorder.  Recent studies suggest that mindfulness can help break the cycle of binge-purge behavior and improve body image, leading to better treatment outcomes.

1. Reducing Binge-Purge Behaviors
   

   A 2021 study investigated the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on reducing the cognitive load of words related to eating disorders could result in a decrease in purging behaviors. Mindfulness skills improved significantly which were accompanied by a decrease in depressive mood. The researchers concluded that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy could be an effective tool in reducing binge-purge behaviors.4

    

2. Improving Body Image and Self-Compassion
   

   Body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem are common in BN and are often central to the disorder’s maintenance. Mindfulness interventions focusing on body awareness and self-compassion have shown promise in reducing these issues.  This shift in perspective is crucial, as body image issues often drive the cycle of binge eating and purging in BN.5

    

3. Addressing Cognitive Rigidity
   

   Cognitive flexibility, the ability to hold multiple perspectives and tolerate ambiguity, is often impaired in individuals with BN, leading to rigid thinking patterns about food, body image, and self-worth. Mindfulness has been shown to enhance cognitive flexibility by promoting an open, non-judgmental awareness of thoughts and experiences.6

Mindfulness-based interventions are emerging as a promising tool in the treatment of both Binge Eating Disorder and Bulimia Nervosa. The latest research suggests that mindfulness can significantly reduce binge eating and purging behaviors, improve emotional regulation, and promote healthier body image and self-compassion. As the field of mindfulness research continues to grow, it is crucial that these interventions be further refined and integrated with other therapeutic approaches to provide comprehensive, effective treatment for individuals struggling with eating disorders.  At LCWNS, we help you integrate mindfulness as part of a holistic treatment plan.

References

1. Grohmann D, Laws KR. Two decades of mindfulness-based interventions for binge eating: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Psychosom Res. 2021 Oct;149:110592. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110592. Epub 2021 Aug 1. PMID: 34399197.
2. Katterman SN, Kleinman BM, Hood MM, Nackers LM, Corsica JA. Mindfulness meditation as an intervention for binge eating, emotional eating, and weight loss: a systematic review. Eat Behav. 2014 Apr;15(2):197-204. doi: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2014.01.005. Epub 2014 Feb 1. PMID: 24854804. 
3. Rozakou-Soumalia N, Dârvariu Ş, Sjögren JM. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Improves Emotion Dysregulation Mainly in Binge Eating Disorder and Bulimia Nervosa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Pers Med. 2021 Sep 18;11(9):931. doi: 10.3390/jpm11090931. PMID: 34575707; PMCID: PMC8470932.
4. Sala L, Gorwood P, Vindreau C, Duriez P. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy added to usual care improves eating behaviors in patients with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder by decreasing the cognitive load of words related to body shape, weight, and food. Eur Psychiatry. 2021 Oct 28;64(1):e67. doi: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.2242. PMID: 34706785; PMCID: PMC8668447.
5. Jansen P, Zayed K, Kittsteiner J. Body image and the relation to mindfulness and self-compassion in physical education students: a cross-cultural study. Health Psychol Res. 2021 Jan 14;8(3):9172. doi: 10.4081/hpr.2020.9172. PMID: 33553789; PMCID: PMC7859956.
6. Zou Y, Li P, Hofmann SG, Liu X. The Mediating Role of Non-reactivity to Mindfulness Training and Cognitive Flexibility: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Front Psychol. 2020 Jun 26;11:1053. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01053. PMID: 32670135; PMCID: PMC7332580.