Taste and see: a church-based, intuitive eating programme: preliminary results of a mixed methods study

Abstract

Background: Obesity treatment is a high priority globally. Evidence suggests holistic approaches, which include a religious element, are promising. Much of this research is from the US but recent evidence suggests a similar need in the UK among those affiliated with the Christian and Catholic faiths. Objective: To conduct a mixed-methods pre-post feasibility study of a 12week faith-based, healthy, intuitive-eating programme, within a UK church. Methods: 18 adults with BMI>25kg/m2. Ethical approval by Coventry University Ethics Committee. Physical, psychological & spiritual outcomes were measured at baseline, 12weeks & are being measured at 6 months. Results analysed using intention to treat; baseline observation carried forward to input missing data. Qualitative data collected with semi-structured interviews. Findings: 12 weeks: 17/18 participants completed. Small significant improvements in weight ((mean difference [95% confidence interval (CI)] -1.57kg [-2.85, -0.28]), QoL-VAS(11.72 [3.89, 19.55], mental well-being(6.72 [4.08, 9.36]), depression(-3.06 [-4.89, -1.22]) & anxiety(-4.11 [-6.06, -2.16]). The Three Factors Eating Questionnaire scores on restrained (19.14[9.99, 28.28]) & emotional eating (11.42 [1.01, 21.82]) were worse. Spiritual well-being (4.78 [-1.08, 10.63]) & religious love (0.39[-0.64, 1.41]) improved non-significantly. Emerging themes of spirituality and overall experience: ‘I can take food issues to God’ & ‘God’s love is a catalyst for self-love’.’ Discussion: Early results are mainly positive however there is uncertainty due to the small sample. The preliminary findings of this study will be used to inform a large scale trial to evaluate the impact of such intervention.