Meta-analysisindependent cross-checkabstract checked★ key study I-FAST-118 standard review

Mindful eating and how much people eat

Effects of mindfulness and mindful eating on food intake and appetite: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Overview

Ahmadyar K et al.. Clin Psychol Rev 2026 · PMID 42341365 · DOI 10.1016/j.cpr.2026.102780

Paying attention while eating slightly reduced how much people ate in experiments.

Does the study support the specific claim? Partly · Methodological quality: moderate

Study explained simply

What did the researchers want to find out?: Test mindful eating effects on intake.
How was the study done?: Meta-analysis of 41 articles.
How many people, animals or samples were studied?: Adults and children in experiments.
What was actually found?: Intake reduced; appetite ratings unchanged.
How large was the observed effect?: SMD -0.24 (-0.35 to -0.12).
What do the results mean in everyday life?: Eating attentively may help avoid overeating.
What are the study's limitations?: Mainly lab studies.
What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?: Partly supports listening to hunger/fullness.
Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?: Applies; same physiology.
What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?: Long-term weight or health outcomes.

Authors: Ahmadyar K et al.
Journal: Clin Psychol Rev
Year: 2026
Identifier: PMID 42341365 DOI 10.1016/j.cpr.2026.102780
Verification: verified – PubMed efetch 2026-10-26; Crossref update-to/updated-by check
Retracted: no
Corrections: none
Extent checked: abstract only
Conflicts of interest and funding: No conflicts declared.

Do mindfulness, mindful eating and intuitive eating interventions change food intake and appetite?

Study design: Meta-analysis – Systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies
Population: Adults and children
Country: International
Period: not stated in abstract
Sample size: 41 articles (46 studies for intake)
Inclusion and exclusion criteria: not stated in abstract

Exposure / intervention: Mindfulness / mindful eating (no eligible intuitive eating interventions found)
Comparator: Non-mindfulness control
Endpoints: Food intake; hunger and fullness ratings
Statistical methods: Random effects SMD

Results: Mindfulness/mindful eating reduced food intake (SMD -0.24, 95% CI -0.35 to -0.12; 46 studies); no significant effect on appetite (11 studies); larger effects in laboratory studies.
Absolute risks: not reported
Authors' conclusion: Mindfulness and mindful eating reliably reduce food intake in controlled settings; no evidence they influence appetite.

Small effect (SMD -0.24).

Attending to hunger and satiety signals (mindful eating) modestly reduces intake - partial support for 'eat when hungry, stop when full'.

Universal biology; applies in Europe and Egypt.

Modest indirect support for the healthy-adult part of the claim.

Multidimensional assessment
Multidimensional assessment
Authenticity of the source	verified
Methodological quality	moderate
Risk of bias	some concerns
Precision of results	moderate
Directness	indirect
Reproducibility	replicated
Consistency with the overall evidence	consistent
Regional transferability	high
Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive)	not applicable