Triangulation of findings from patients and healthcare professionals on challenges in eating behaviours and evaluation of potential utility of mindful eating practices in supporting healthy eating

Objectives: To explore how patients and Health care professionals (HCP)
understand and experience challenges in providing and receiving eating
behaviours support. To explore barriers and facilitators to using mindful
eating (ME) practices to support healthy eating behaviours.
Methods: Triangulation was conducted across four data sources: patient
evaluation of ME practices after a 5-day intervention (n=10), patient in
terviews (n=5), HCP ME workshops/focus groups (n=37), HCP ME practices
evaluation (n=13). Each dataset was analysed independently and then
compared using a triangulation matrix to identify convergence, comple
mentarity, dissonance and silence. These comparisons were used to develop
integrated meta-themes.
Results: Findings from patients and HCP converged on the understanding
that changing legacy eating behaviours is challenging due to perceptions of
higher weight as being safer, lack of experience and knowledge around
weight management, unpreparedness for weight changes and medicalisation
of eating behaviours. There was some dissonance around perceived reasons
for weight gain and the extent to which these were attributable to changed
eating behaviours. Both HCP and patients reported that further training was
needed to understand and utilise ME practices effectively. Evaluations of ME
practices were mixed, patients found considering levels of hunger and satiety
before eating helpful, but focusing on the taste and texture of food unhelpful
as it reduced social aspects and pleasure in eating.
Conclusion: Synthesising HCP and patient perceptions of eating behaviours
informs more effective practice to support weight regulation, behaviour
change and understanding of the sustained emotional impact of legacy eating
behaviours. Constructs of ME such as non-judgement and acceptance aid
healthier eating and wellbeing. HCP report needing practical training, re
sources and case-study examples to increase confidence and skills in deliv
ering psychosocial support to patients