Comparison between mindfulness, body consciousness and stress in obese and normal-weight people

Abstract

Obesity is one of the health problems in the last century. The aim of this study is to compare mindfulness, body consciousness and stress in obese and normal-weight people. The population of the study included all obese people who visited diet and weight loss centers in Rasht city and normal-weight people. Two hundred individuals (100 obese and 100 normal-weight people) were selected using convenience sampling method. Research data was collected using mindfulness questionnaire by Baer et al (2006), body consciousness questionnaire by Miller et al (1981), and depression, anxiety, and stress questionnaire by Lovibond & Lovibond (1995), and was analyzed using independent t-test. The results revealed significant difference in mindfulness scores between two groups, that is, obese people have lower mindfulness and more stress than normal-weight people. However, no significant difference was observed between two groups in terms of body consciousness. Increase mindfulness and managing stress, as two influential factors on obese patients, can improve their physical and mental health, and reduce their weight.