Addressing individual needs in mindful eating: a latent profile analysis and exploration of demographics and social-cognitive beliefs

INTRODUCTION: To promote mindful eating it may be relevant to take different eating profiles into account. This prospective study aimed to (i) identify the existence of potential respondent subgroups regarding mindful eating and (ii) compare these profiles on socio-demographic characteristics and social-cognitive beliefs about mindful eating using the I-Change Model (ICM).

METHODS: Dutch adults (M age  = 52.6; 53% male) responded to an online survey at baseline ( N  = 615) and 3-months ( n  = 513) follow-up asking about social-cognitive beliefs about practicing mindful eating based on the ICM. Following a latent profile analysis of mindful eating facets, profiles at baseline were compared on social-cognitive beliefs at follow-up using a MANOVA with Tukey-adjusted post-hoc tests.

RESULTS: Three profiles were identified (1. low awareness, high acceptance; 2. high awareness, low acceptance; 3. moderate awareness, moderate acceptance). These profiles significantly differed in their demographics and social-cognitive beliefs about mindful eating (e.g., knowledge, perceived pros and cons, self-efficacy, intention and planning to adopt mindful eating).

DISCUSSION: Findings suggest the limitations of a one-size-fits-all approach to promoting mindful eating. Interventions may need to consider different recruitment and targeted strategies based on socio-demographic characteristics and social-cognitive beliefs to ensure different groups of individuals are represented in and can benefit from interventions in a safe and accessible way.