The Role of Negative Cognition, Intolerance of Uncertainty, Mindfulness, and Self-Compassion in Weight Regulation Among Male Army Recruits

Abstract

The present study examined weight gain in a stressful environment (i.e., following compulsory enrollment in the Greek Army). It was predicted that higher levels of mindfulness and selfcompassion would relate negatively to weight gain, whilst negative automatic thoughts and intolerance of uncertainty would positively relate to weight gain. This research also explored the strength of independent variables when predicting weight gain, plus the additional contribution of self-compassion when controlling for the effect of mindfulness on weight gain. Ninety-seven military recruits completed the psychological scales on the first day of enrollment. Their height and weight were measured at baseline and after five weeks to record weight gain. Results revealed that 43 participants gained weight, while 54 lost weight. Those who lost weight reported significantly higher scores in mindfulness and self-compassion, whereas those who gained weight reported significantly higher scores in negative automatic thoughts and intolerance of uncertainty. Furthermore, negative automatic thoughts and intolerance of uncertainty did not significantly predict weight gain, after mindfulness and self-compassion were taken into account. Also, self-compassion uniquely contributed to the negative prediction of weight gain, once mindfulness was taken into account. This research concluded that negative cognition may play a role in weight gain; however, mindfulness and self-compassion may be more useful traits in predicting weight gain, given that once they are taken into account, negative cognition stop being significant predictors.

An exploratory examination of mindfulness, self-compassion, and mindful eating in relation to motivations to eat palatable foods and BMI

“…Self-compassion has been defined as a mindful awareness of oneself, which involves treating oneself kindly and understanding oneself during difficult and challenging times by realizing that such experiences are common among all humans (Neff, 2003a (Mantzios, Wilson, Linnell, & Morris, 2015). Another study found that participants lost more weight when they were assigned to a mindful self-compassionate program compared to a control group (Mantzios & Wilson, 2015a).…”

“…While the literature is mixed in regards to the cross-sectional associations, it has been found that people who eat more mindfully, or participate in mindfulness meditation programs, improve the way they eat and successfully eat less. There are several studies with promising results that demonstrate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (Alberts, Mulkens, Smeets, & Thewissen, 2010;Daubenmier et al, 2012;Kristeller & Hallett, 1999;Kristeller, Wolever, & Sheets, 2014;Mantzios & Giannou, 2014;Mantzios & Wilson, 2014;Mantzios et al, 2015). However, the relationship between BMI and mindfulness remains unclear, which may be attributable to several reasons including small sample sizes.…”

All you can eat Buffets, obesity, mindfulness, and mindful eating: An exploratory investigation

“…Self-compassion alone is underexplored in the context of weight regulation, however recent evidence suggests that it is self-compassion that explains the documented benefits of mindfulness and assisted weight regulation in recent psychological interventions for weight loss [18]. One of the issues for people when following a restricted diet, is that there are occasions when they 'break the diet', that is, consume 'forbidden' foods, or consume more food than is allowed.…”

“…In an experimental study with restrictive eaters, Adams and Leary [20] used a short self-compassionate intervention with people who had broken their diet and found that this prolonged increase in food intake did not occur. Furthermore, recent research indicates that self-compassion plays a significant role across many aspects of weight regulation, in maintaining weight [18], in weight loss [15], and with different mindful practices (i.e., diaries instead of meditation) [13]. Other research suggests that selfcompassion may also provide positive outcomes in disordered eating.…”

“…Mantzios and Wilson [18] suggested in a recent review that investigations need to be more explicit and specific to eating. Mindful eating is the application of mindfulness fundamentals on food-related experiences; that is, purposeful attention to the present moment with a non-judgmental or accepting attitude.…”