Contemporary research investigating obesity has focused on grazing (i.e. an uncontrolled and repetitive consumption of small amounts of food). Meanwhile, constructs such as mindfulness, mindful eating and self-compassion have received much attention in assisting individuals with eating behaviours and weight regulation. The association between those constructs and grazing, however, has not been explored. In a cross-sectional study, university students (n = 261) were recruited to explore the relationship of mindfulness, mindful eating and self-compassion with current weight and grazing. Results indicated that all constructs were negatively related to grazing, but only mindful eating related negatively to current weight. In addition, mindful eating mediated the relationship between grazing and current weight. Possible explanations and future directions are discussed further with an emphasis on the need for more empirical work.

While much research has focused on overeating when exploring constructs of mindfulness, mindful eating, and self-compassion, there is limited research on the specific relationship of these constructs with consumption of energy-dense foods that have a large impact on weight regulation. In a cross-sectional study, university students (n = 546) were recruited to explore the relationship between mindfulness, mindful eating, self-compassion, and fat and/or sugar consumption. Results indicated that all constructs were negatively related to fat and sugar consumption, but self-compassion did not do so in a univariate fashion. When investigating subscales, negative aspects such as isolation and over-identification show a significant positive relationship to fat and sugar consumption. Possible explanations and future directions are discussed further with an emphasis on the need for more empirical work. Level of Evidence: Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

Purpose: Contemporary research investigating obesity has focused on grazing (i.e., an uncontrolled and repetitive consumption of small amounts of food). Meanwhile, the association between grazing and motivations or actual consumption of energy-dense foods as explanatory factors has not been explored in current weight regulation research. Methods: The association between grazing, motivations to eat palatable foods and fat and sugar consumption were explored in a cross-sectional study with university students (n=318) who were recruited to participate in an online study. Results: Results indicated that both motivations to eat palatable foods and fat and sugar consumption were positively related to grazing, but only motivations to eat palatable foods explained the positive relationship between grazing and current weight. Conclusion: Motivations to eat palatable foods appears to be more explanatory of grazing in the sphere of weight regulation and grazing than the actual consumption of fat and sugar. Possible explanations and future directions are discussed. Level V: Opinions of respected authorities, based on clinical experience, descriptive studies, or reports of expert committees.