Mindful eating moderates the link between self-compassion and body mass Index

Background / Aims The findings on the link between self-compassion and body mass index (BMI) have been mixed, suggesting this link may depend on physiological rather than psychological factors (i.e., emotion regulation). The present study explored mindful eating as a potential psychological moderator, due to its components of sensory attention (SA) and non-judgmental awareness (NJA), which were hypothesised to moderate the relationship between self-compassion and BMI. Methods In an online survey, 254 participants from the United Kingdom reported demographic information, including their body weight and height, and completed the self-compassion scale (SCS) and the Mindful Eating Behaviour Scale – Trait (MEBS-T). Results Moderation analyses were conducted using MEBS-T total and its SA and NJA subscales separately. Total MEBS-T scores, including both the SA and NJA subscales, did not moderate the relationship between total SCS scores and BMI, and neither did the NJA subscale separate from MEBS-T. In contrast, the SA subscale of the MEBS-T was a significant moderator of the relationship between SCS and BMI – SCS was negatively associated with BMI at moderate to high levels of SA. In all models, overall SCS and overall MEBS-T did not predict BMI. Conclusion Findings highlight the importance of attending to sensory experience in facilitating the potential benefits of self-compassion on weight status and outcomes. Non-significant findings and future directions are discussed.