Managing Our Relationship With Food and Eating

Summary

There is a need for population-level intervention research to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on disordered eating and unhealthy eating behaviours. Systematic reviews have demonstrated that psychotherapy and yoga can help to reduce binge eating and disordered eating habits, however, these interventions were tested in person. Studies examining the effectiveness of these interventions in an online, group-based format are warranted. In 2019, the investigators launched a RCT to test gender-stratified group interventions to address mental health and addictive behaviours among community-based adults in southern Alberta. The investigators implemented this intervention with more than 200 adults in person before this study was paused due to COVID-19; In 2020, the investigators adapted this intervention for online delivery to 200 community-dwelling women across Alberta. The most recent iteration of this study indicated the participants were particularly concerned about their relationship with food and how they were engaging in different eating behaviours to cope with the stress of COVID-19.

Conditions

• Mental Health Wellness 1
• Eating Behavior
• Stress, Psychological
• Eating Habit

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Trauma Informed Yoga

One licensed yoga instructor, trained in trauma-informed yoga delivery, will lead the online sessions. Participants will be instructed to engage in the class from a mat or chair in their home or move between them as the class unfolds. The instructor will begin the class by introducing the week's theme (e.g. grounding and safety, non-attachment, imprints of the past and impacts on our reactions to COVID-19, connection to nature), followed by a breath practice (10 min), a yoga practice (50 min), a meditation practice (10 min), and closing words (10 min).

BEHAVIORAL

Trauma Informed Psychotherapy

Two licensed counsellors (MSW-trained) will co-facilitate the online version of this program. Facilitators will begin the session by introducing the week's theme (e.g. setting goals while working from home, being mindful, health coping) (10 min), followed by a lecture and activity to integrate learning (e.g. large and small group discussion using Zoom break out rooms, journaling) (70 min), and closing words (10 min).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Lethbridge

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Cheryl Currie, PhD · University of Lethbridge

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

75 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-04-01

Primary Completion

2021-07-22

Completion

2021-07-22

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations