RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06540898

Impact of Mindful Eating and Movement on University Students' Food and Physical Literacy, and Social-Emotional Competencies

The Effects of Mindful Eating and Movement on Food Literacy, Physical Literacy and Social Emotional Competencies Among University Students in Macau

Sponsor

University of Macau

Enrollment

144 participants

Start Date

Sep 18, 2024

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Healthy

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate if the mindful eating and movement program can improve food literacy, physical literacy, and social-emotional competencies in university students aged 18-25 years. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Will the mindful eating and movement program lead to significant improvements in food literacy? 2. Will the mindful eating and movement program enhance physical literacy? 3. Will the mindful eating and movement program improve social-emotional competencies? Researchers will compare an intervention group receiving the combined mindful practices with a control group participating in standard physical education to see if the intervention group shows greater improvements in these areas. Participants will: Engage in mindful eating exercises during the break of physical education classes for 10 minutes. Participate in mindful movement exercises before each physical education class end for 10 minutes, in pairs or in groups. Complete baseline, immediately post-intervention (8 weeks), and one month post-intervention (4 weeks after) assessments to measure changes in food literacy, physical literacy, and social-emotional competencies.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 25 Years

Inclusion Criteria5

University undergraduate students aged 18 to 25 years old who are not pregnant;
Chinese-speaking adults;
Willing to sign the consent form;
Willing to attend mindful practice regularly;
No prior experience with formal mindfulness practices such as mindful eating or mindful movement.

Exclusion Criteria8

Not university undergraduate students;
Below 18 years old or above 25;
Non-Chinese speaking adults;
Unable or refuse to sign the consent form;
Refuse to attend mindful practice regularly;
History of eating disorders;
Severe mental health disorders requiring ongoing treatment;
Physical conditions limiting participation in physical activities.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALMindfulness-Based Eating and Movement Program

This intervention integrates mindful eating practices and mindful movement into physical education classes for a duration of 8 weeks. Each session begins with a 10-minute mindful eating practice designed to enhance participants; awareness of hunger and fullness cues, the sensory experience of eating, and their emotional responses to food. The program is to address food literacy, physical literacy, and social-emotional learning. It applied the principles of various established mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapies and the book "The Joy of Half a Cookie: Using Mindfulness to Lose Weight and End the Struggle with Food" . It is grounded in the components of Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training. The movement practices include basic poses in pairs and groups, and breath awareness techniques to facilitate a mindful connection with physical sensations and mental states.