Plain language summary
Metabolic syndrome is a combination of risk factors including obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and a poor lipid profile. Dispositional mindfulness is a psychological trait that is defined as a non-judgemental awareness of the present moment. While mindfulness has been shown to produce beneficial effects on physical and mental health, no study has examined the associated between mindfulness and the metabolic syndrome risk factors. The aim of this cross-sectional web-based study was to explore the relationship between mindfulness and metabolic syndrome in modifying depressive symptomology across 17,490 individuals. Participants attended a clinical exam and completed the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire to assess dispositional mindfulness. Depressive symptomology was measured through self-administered online questionnaires at the beginning of the study and each year of follow-up. This study found that individuals with higher levels of overall mindfulness were less likely to present with metabolic syndrome, but only among individuals showing depressive symptomology. Based on these results, the authors conclude it is important to encourage mindfulness practices in patients at risk of metabolic syndrome, particularly among those with depressive symptomology. More longitudinal studies are required to better understand mindfulness-based interventions in the clinical setting.
Abstract
The Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a major public health burden. Dispositional mindfulness has recently been associated with eating disorders, being overweight, and could therefore be associated with the MetS. We aimed to examine in a cross-sectional design the relationship between mindfulness, the MetS, and its risk factors in a large sample of the adult general population and the influence of depressive symptomatology on this association. Adults participating in the NutriNet-Santé study who had completed the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire and attended a clinical and biological examination were available for inclusion. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for socio-demographic and lifestyle factors were performed. A total of 17,490 individuals were included. Among individuals with a depressive symptomatology, those with higher mindfulness were less likely to have a MetS (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.57-0.93), a high waist circumference, a low HDL-cholesterol level and an elevated fasting blood glucose level (all p <0.05). In those without depressive symptomatology, individuals with higher mindfulness were less likely to have a high waist circumference (p <0.01). In conclusion, higher mindfulness was associated with lower odds of developing a MetS only among individuals with a depressive symptomatology.
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