Mindful Eating Study for Adults With Diabetes and Weight Concerns in Hong Kong

Summary

Objectives: To assess the effect of a digital Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training (MB-EAT) intervention on anthropometric measures, glycaemic control, eating behaviours, psychological health and hormones regulating stress and appetite in individuals with diabetes and obesity. Design: A randomized waitlist-controlled trial. Participants: A total of 120 participants (60 each in the intervention and control groups) with diabetes and obesity will be recruited via community partners and partnering endocrinology clinics. Interventions: The intervention group will be provided with an integrated programme of a 10-week digital MB-EAT course, alongside three individualized dietary consultations (scheduled at weeks 2, 5, and 10, each lasting one hour). This course will be delivered weekly through videos, audio tracks, and a series of mindfulness practice tasks to be completed at home. Outcome measures and data analysis: The primary outcomes will focus on changes in anthropometric measures, including weight loss, body mass index, waist circumference, and body fat percentage. Secondary outcomes will assess glycaemic control (measured by glycated haemoglobin), eating behaviours (including binge eating, eating control, mindful eating, food cravings, and dietary intake), psychological health (including diabetes-related distress, stress, anxiety, and depression), and hormones regulating stress and appetite (cortisol, ghrelin, leptin). The intervention's effects on these variables will be analysed at baseline, 3-month, and 6-month follow-ups using linear mixed model analysis. Expected results: It is anticipated that the MB-EAT group will demonstrate significant improvements in both primary and secondary outcomes compared to the waitlist group at both post-intervention and follow-up assessments.

Conditions

• Diabetes

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

MB-EAT

After randomisation, participants will be provided with an information sheet that contains information about the study, materials needed for the video-assisted practice (e.g., food for mindful eating exercises) and details of the contact person. In the orientation session, participants will be instructed on using REDCap, and an instruction video will be provided afterwards. The intervention will be delivered through 10 weekly videos (each ranged from 1-1.5 hours), audio tracks and a series of home mindfulness practice tasks to be completed within 10 weeks.

BEHAVIORAL

control group

As an active control, participants in the control arm will receive three 1-hour personalized dietary consultations with a nutritionist/dietitian via Zoom or other online platforms at weeks 2, 5, and 10. Diabetes-specific dietary goals will be established according to clinical practice guidelines. Additionally, they will receive weekly general health information regarding diabetes-specific lifestyle modifications and will be instructed to refrain from engaging in any mindfulness-based practices during the study. To ensure they do not miss out on the benefits of the MB-EAT, participants will receive a training session on how to use MB-EAT and will gain full access to the program after completing the 12-month follow-up.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

45 Years

Max Age

64 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-09-01

Primary Completion

2029-08-31

Completion

2029-08-31

Countries

• Hong Kong

Study Locations