Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Association of Mindful Eating and Physical Activity with Anthropometric Indices among Medical Clinical Interns: A Cross-Sectional Study

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors
Mina Babashahi 1
Najme Setoude 2
Mahdiyeh Deldar 2
Ala Hagh Pouyan 2
Seyedeh Hanieh Sadati 2
1 Assistant Professor, Nutrition Research Center, AND Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences,Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
2 Student, Student Research Committee, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
10.48305/jims.v44.i855.0395
Abstract
Background: Obesity and overweight have increased as common health challenges among medical students. Mindful eating and physical activity are closely related to weight regulation. This study aimed to investigate the associations among mindful eating, physical activity, and anthropometric indices among medical clinical interns.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 on 165 medical interns in the teaching hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, a 28-item Mindful Eating Questionnaire, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Anthropometric indices included body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). A significance level of 0.05 was considered.
Findings: Total mindful eating score and physical activity were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of overweight/obesity in both sexes. In men, the odds of overweight/obesity decreased with higher mindful eating (OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.84–0.97) and physical activity (OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.91–0.99), Similar associations were observed in women (mindful eating: OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.82–0.94; physical activity: OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90–0.98).
Total mindful eating and physical activity were also significantly associated with a lower likelihood of abdominal obesity in both men and women (In order: men OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.74–0.95; women OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.71–0.98; men OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.85–0.97; women OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.81–0.97)
Conclusion: Given the high prevalence of obesity in this group, educational interventions to promote mindful eating and increase physical activity during clinical training are recommended.

Highlights

Mina Babashahi: Google Scholar , PubMed

Najme Setoude: Google Scholar

Keywords
Mindful Eating
Obesity
Body Mass Index
Medical Students
Subjects
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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 44, Issue 855
3rd Week,May
May and June 2026
Pages 395-402

  • Receive Date 25 January 2026
  • Accept Date 28 June 2026