Positive Health Online

Abstract

SORIANO-AYALA  and COLLEAGUES, 1 Department of Education, Universidad de Almería, 04120 Almeria, Spain; 2 Department of Work Relations and Social Work, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Bilbao, Spain; 3 Faculty of Education and Social Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 7591538, Chile; 4 Department of Psychology, Universidad de Almería, 04120 Almeria, Spain; 5 Department of Psychology, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, 08018 Barcelona, Spain; 6 Hum-760 Research Team, Health Research Centre, University of Almería, 04120 Almeria, Spain conducted a study to explore the effects of a second-generation mindfulness-based intervention known as flow meditation (Meditación-Fluir) in the improvement of healthy life behaviours.

Background

The present study explored the effects of a second-generation mindfulness-based intervention known as flow meditation (Meditación-Fluir) in the improvement of healthy life behaviours.

Methodology

A sample of university students (n = 51) in Spain were randomly assigned to a seven-week mindfulness treatment or a waiting list control group.

Results

Results showed that compared to the control group, individuals in the mindfulness group demonstrated significant improvements across all outcome measures including healthy eating habits (balanced diet, intake rate, snacking between meals, decrease in consumption by negative emotional states, increased consumption by negative emotional states, amount of consumption, meal times, consumption of low-fat products), tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis consumption, and resting habits. There were differences between males and females in some of these variables and a better effect of the treatment was evident in the females of the experimental group when compared to the males.

Conclusion

The flow meditation program shows promise for fostering a healthy lifestyle, thus decreasing behaviours related to maladaptive eating, tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis consumption as well as negative rest habits in university students. This mindfulness program could significantly contribute to the treatment of eating disorders and addictions, wherein negative emotional states and impulsivity are central features of the condition.

References

Encarnación Soriano-Ayala  1 , Alberto Amutio  2   3 , Clemente Franco  4 , Israel Mañas  5   6. Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle through Mindfulness in University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients: 12(8):2450. doi: 10.3390/nu12082450. Aug 14 2020.