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Abstract
Overweight and obesity are universal health challenges. Some psychological factors, such as disordered eating, can negatively impact outcomes of nutrition programs. Recent evidence emphasises the potential benefits of self-compassion as a new approach to improve outcomes, through addressing these psychological factors and also through directly improvement of dietary habits. Online technologies that comprise goal-setting and self-monitoring have also shown promise in increasing healthy dietary behaviours. Therefore, this thesis details the feasibility and efficacy of two self-compassion, goal-setting and self-monitoring interventions on self-compassion, dietary habits and eating behaviours in people who were overweight or obese.
First, evidence on the efficacy of self-compassion interventions on dietary habits, eating pathology and body weight was systematically reviewed. The review provided evidence that self-compassion could be beneficial for weight loss and for healthy dietary and eating behaviours. However, the number of the available studies was limited, and most had methodological limitations.
The first study of this thesis examined the feasibility of a pilot, combined online and face-to-face self-compassion, goal-setting and self-monitoring intervention in people who were overweight or obese. The insights from this pilot study were then used to inform a subsequent randomised controlled trial (RCT). The intervention improved self-compassion and some aspects of dietary habits and eating behaviour. Participants appreciated the self-compassion and goal-setting strategies but believed that the intervention could have been simpler, more engaging and more tailored to individuals’ needs.
The second study investigated the efficacy of an online RCT which built on the initial pilot study. Seventy-four participants (n=35 intervention and n=39 control) completed the 12-week trial. Results showed that self-compassion, some aspects of the dietary intake, anxiety and stress improved in the intervention group; but not in the control group. Eating pathology decreased in both the intervention and control groups.
Together, the findings from this thesis suggest that an online self-compassion, goal-setting and self-monitoring intervention could improve self-compassion and some dietary and eating behaviours in people who are overweight and obese. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and examine the efficacy of an intervention over a longer period.