THE IMPACT OF MINDFULNESS AND FOOD CULTURE ON EATING REGULATION AND THE MEDIATING ROLE OF LIFESTYLE HABITS

Abstract

Eating regulation is a primary mechanism in effecting health behaviour changes. The study identified the roles of mindfulness as a psychological factor, along with behavioural factors like lifestyle habits and food culture as an environmental factor, comprehensively in their impact on eating regulation. A cross-sectional survey collected data from 683 adults using a structured questionnaire. A reliable and valid scale was developed to measure food culture. Univariate and multivariate statistical techniques were used. Mindfulness and lifestyle habits have a significant and positive relationship with eating regulation. Food culture attenuated eating regulation. Lifestyle habits significantly mediated the relationship between mindfulness and eating regulation. The findings of this study will be helpful to healthcare professionals and dietary advisors. In the context of the COVID 19 pandemic, prevention of obesity through eating regulation is the need of the hour, and this study shows that adopting lifestyle habit changes can help achieve this goal. The introduction of food culture as an antecedent of eating regulation and the development of a scale to measure food culture significantly contributes to the body of literature. The mediating role of lifestyle habits in achieving eating regulation has been established.