Exploring Mindful Eating and Weight Status Among Underserved Youth and Their Parents Living in Public Housing

Abstract

There is growing interest on the effects of mindfulness techniques, particularly mindful eating (ME), on eating behaviors and weight status. This study aimed to (1) evaluate whether the ME practices of adult parents and adolescents were associated to their respective weight status and (2) assess the relationship between a parent’s ME behaviors and those of their adolescent child. Data was collected as part of a secondary data analysis from a cross-sectional observational study conducted with primarily Hispanic parent and youth dyads (n = 57) from public housing sites in Phoenix, Arizona. Participants completed the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ) and research staff collected anthropometric data. Adjusted multivariate linear regressions were used in data analysis. No associations were observed between ME and weight status for either parents or youth. However, parent overall MEQ scores were associated with adolescent overall MEQ scores (r = 0.47, p < .01). Analysis using adjusted regressions confirmed the findings: overall adolescent MEQ score was associated with overall parent MEQ score (p < .01). These findings suggested that there may not be a relationship between weight status and ME among this low-income population. However, the relationship between parent and youth ME scores highlights the need for further research on the long-term impact ME has on weight status of youth over time.