Breast Cancer Survivorship, Eating Behavior, Mindful Eating Intervention, Weight Management
Conditions
Keywords
Behavioral intervention, Breast cancer survivors, Eating behavior, Intuitive eating, Mindful eating, Weight management
Brief summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to explore whether a mindful eating intervention can improve eating behaviors and support sustainable weight management among female breast cancer survivors in Türkiye who have completed active treatment. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Can a structured mindful eating program improve intuitive and mindful eating behaviors? * Does the intervention lead to favorable changes in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and fat mass compared to usual care? Researchers will compare a group receiving a 6-session mindful eating intervention plus treatment-as-usual (MEI + TAU) to a treatment-as-usual (TAU) control group to see if the intervention provides additional benefits on eating behaviors and body composition. Participants will: * Attend six 60-90 minute group sessions on mindful eating delivered by trained professionals * Receive tailored nutrition education from an oncology dietitian * Complete validated questionnaires (IES-2 and MEQ-30) and anthropometric assessments at baseline and follow-up
Detailed description
This randomized controlled pilot study investigates the effects of a six-session mindful eating intervention (MEI) on eating behaviors and body composition among female breast cancer (BC) survivors in Türkiye. Participants were recruited from a medical oncology clinic and were eligible if they had completed surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, with or without ongoing hormone therapy, at least six months prior to enrollment. A total of 25 participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) MEI combined with treatment-as-usual (MEI + TAU, n = 12) and (2) treatment-as-usual alone (TAU, n = 13). The MEI consisted of six weekly 60-90 minute sessions led by a trained mindful eating facilitator and a registered dietitian with oncology experience. Sessions addressed themes such as recognizing hunger and satiety cues, slowing down during meals, managing emotional eating, and enhancing sensory awareness. Participants also received individualized nutritional counseling based on their anthropometric data and dietary habits. Data were collected at baseline and multiple follow-up points across six months. Outcomes included body weight, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, and scores from two validated behavioral questionnaires: the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2) and the Mindful Eating Questionnaire-30 (MEQ-30). Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and statistical analysis was performed to evaluate within-group and between-group changes over time. Preliminary results suggest that participants in the MEI + TAU group experienced significant improvements in intuitive eating scores, particularly in reliance on hunger/satiety cues and reduced emotional eating. Mindful eating scores also increased across several subscales, and reductions in waist circumference were more pronounced in the intervention group. These findings indicate that mindful eating interventions may support sustainable weight management and improved eating behaviors in breast cancer survivors. Further large-scale studies are warranted to confirm these outcomes and explore long-term effects on survivorship and recurrence risk.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALMindful Eating Intervention
The mindful eating intervention consisted of six structured group sessions delivered over a six-week period, each lasting approximately 60-90 minutes. The sessions were led by a registered dietitian certified in both Mindful Eating (The Center of Mindful Eating, EatRight Certified, 2023) and Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training (MB-EAT, 2019). The curriculum was designed to improve participants' awareness of hunger and satiety cues, reduce emotional eating, enhance eating satisfaction, and foster non-judgmental eating practices. Each session incorporated guided mindfulness practices, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and experiential activities such as sensory-focused eating. The intervention was provided in addition to standard post-treatment care, which included nutritional counseling by an oncology dietitian.
BEHAVIORALOncology Nutrition Counseling
Participants in this group received individualized nutrition counseling and education from a registered oncology dietitian as part of standard post-treatment care for breast cancer survivors. The counseling focused on balanced eating, long-term weight management, and general lifestyle guidance based on survivorship needs. No additional behavioral or mindful eating interventions were delivered.
Sponsors
Acibadem Altunizade Hospital, Istanbul
Acibadem University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Female individuals aged 18 years and older * History of breast cancer diagnosis (any subtype) * Completion of active cancer treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy) at least 6 months prior to enrollment * Ability to participate in group-based behavioral sessions * Ability to provide informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Completion of cancer treatment less than 6 months prior to enrollment * Presence of metastatic disease or active cancer recurrence * Concurrent diagnosis of another major illness affecting dietary behavior (e.g., eating disorder, severe gastrointestinal disease) * Cognitive impairment or psychiatric condition that limits ability to participate in behavioral sessions * Inability or unwillingness to attend group intervention sessions
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Intuitive Eating Score (IES-2 Total) | Baseline and 6 months post-intervention | The Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2) is a validated tool measuring reliance on internal cues and rejection of dieting. Higher scores reflect greater intuitive eating behavior. |
| Change in Mindful Eating Score (MEQ-30 Total) | Baseline and 6 months post-intervention | The MEQ-30 evaluates domains such as awareness, emotional eating, disinhibition, and responsiveness to hunger cues. Higher scores indicate stronger mindful eating behaviors. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Body Fat Mass (kg) | Baseline and 6 months | Fat mass was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA, Tanita MC780). Measurements were taken during individual sessions with an oncology dietitian at baseline and after 6 months. |
| Change in Fat-Free Mass (kg) | Baseline and 6 months | Fat-free mass (lean mass) was measured by BIA during dietitian-led consultations. |
| Change in Waist Circumference (cm) | Baseline and 6 months | Waist circumference was measured using standardized tape during sessions with an oncology dietitian to assess changes in central adiposity. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed