Mindful Eating in Lebanon: Validating a New Approach to Combat Obesity and Cardiovascular Diseases

Background: The rising prevalence of obesity and cardiovascular diseases in Lebanon underscores the urgency of effective intervention strategies. Mindful eating represents a promising approach by fostering awareness and healthier eating behaviors. Objective: This study aims to validate the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ) within the Lebanese context, assessing its factor structure, reliability, and validity. It further examines how mindful eating addresses physiological and stress-related factors prevalent in the Lebanese population. Additionally, a new instrument, the Mindful Eating Behavior Scale (MEBS), has been developed to evaluate the attention component of mindful eating and its internal structure, reliability, and convergent validity. Methods: A cross-sectional ancillary study was conducted between February 11 and 25, 2024, recruiting participants aged 13 years and above from all Lebanese governorates. Recruitment involved advertisements at the Lebanese University and Beirut Arab University, supplemented by snowball sampling to ensure population diversity. Data were collected electronically through a comprehensive questionnaire comprising demographic items and validated scales measuring psychological and behavioral domains. Participation was anonymous and voluntary, with informed consent obtained to maintain ethical standards. Importance & Recommendations: By validating mindful eating tools and exploring their relationship with dietary habits and psychological well-being, this research seeks to establish mindful eating as an effective strategy to enhance health outcomes in Lebanon. The findings will inform healthcare professionals and policymakers in designing targeted interventions addressing obesity, stress, and related mental health conditions.