The Importance of Body Acceptance in Exploring the Relationships of Mindfulness-Based Constructs to Eating Behaviours among Gay and Bisexual Men

Abstract

Introduction Mindfulness and mindfulness-based constructs (e.g. self-compassion and mindful eating) have been negatively associated with problematic eating and body-related issues in general and other specific populations. Exploration of mindfulness-based concepts in relation to problematic eating would provide novel insight into the relationships of these elements among gay and bisexual men. The present research aimed to identify the role of body acceptance in exploring previous relationships between mindfulness-based constructs and eating behaviours. Methods Participants completed an online questionnaire, comprising measures assessing mindfulness, self-compassion, mindful eating, body acceptance, grazing, emotional eating, restrained eating and external eating (data collection occurred in 2022). Correlation and further mediation analysis was employed to assess the relationships of these constructs within the present sample (n = 164). Results Positive associations between body acceptance and mindfulness-based concepts and negative associations to problematic eating (grazing; emotional, restrained, and external eating) were found within a sample of self-identified gay and bisexual men. Mediation analysis showed the importance of body acceptance in exploring relationships between mindfulness, self-compassion, and mindful eating to grazing, emotional, restrained and external eating. Conclusions Findings highlight the importance of body acceptance when considering the development of mindfulness- and/or compassion-based interventions to attenuate problematic eating among gay and bisexual men. Policy Implications This research consolidates the importance of mindfulness and related constructs when considering problematic eating, which should be reflected in policy aiming to attenuate unhealthy eating in specific populations.