The Challenges of Eating Well for People Living with Cystic Fibrosis: an Interview Study Exploring the Use of Mindful Eating Approaches and Behaviours to Support Optimal Nutritional Status

Egan, Helen and Keyte, Rebecca and Mantzios, Michail (2022) The Challenges of Eating Well for People Living with Cystic Fibrosis: an Interview Study Exploring the Use of Mindful Eating Approaches and Behaviours to Support Optimal Nutritional Status. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. ISSN 1070-5503

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Abstract

Background
Nutritional status and weight are closely linked to lung function and health status in cystic fibrosis (CF). The investigation of eating behaviours has shown mindfulness practices to be useful in modifying eating behaviours, particularly with obesity; to date, no research specifically explores how these concepts may be utilised within a CF population who face specific challenges in eating behaviours.

Method
Adult patients (n = 20, M = 8, age range 21–62 years) were recruited from a UK CF regional centre to take part in qualitative semi-structured interviews. Experiences of eating behaviours focusing on the use of mindful (or mindless) eating as barriers and enablers to achieving and maintaining optimal nutritional status were explored. Data were analysed using thematic analysis with a contextualist approach to understand how participants experienced eating behaviours within the context of health and weight status.

Results
Participants engaged readily in discussions of eating behaviour describing active self-regulation of food eaten and calorie intake. Participants who struggled to maintain weight employed strategies to increase calorie intake such as distraction and multitasking while eating. Most participants reported no pleasure in food, describing eating as another treatment to endure. Confusion existed around how to eat healthily for CF alongside co-morbid health conditions including diabetes, cholesterol and heart disease.

Conclusion
Participants were highly aware of their eating behaviours, engaging in intentional and deliberate preparations, which could be described as mindful, for making eating a more automatic or mindless activity. Modifications to usual mindful eating interventions are needed to support people with CF.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.1007/s12529-022-10057-x
Dates:	Date Event 20 January 2022 Accepted 27 January 2022 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Cystic fibrosis, Mindfulness, Eating behaviours, Mindful eating, Interventions
Subjects:	CAH04 - psychology > CAH04-01 - psychology > CAH04-01-01 - psychology (non-specific)
Divisions:	Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences > College of Psychology
Depositing User:	Rebecca Keyte
Date Deposited:	21 Mar 2022 14:18
Last Modified:	11 Jun 2024 13:03
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/12955

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