Mindful Eating Mobile Application to Reduce Binge Eating in Emergency Department Staff

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project was to determine the feasibility of using a mobile application (app) to increase mindfulness in a group of emergency department (ED) employees. The app utilizes the health promoting behavior of mindful eating (ME) as a way to be more aware of eating habits and other aspects related to eating. Background: Work-related risk factors including shift work in a stressful environment puts emergency personnel at risk for unhealthy eating. Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder. Many techniques are used to treat BED with limited success. ME is the practice of eating with attention and intention, helping individuals become in tune with physiologic cues of hunger and satiation. Methods: Personnel in a busy ED were recruited to participate in a 4-week intervention involving the use of a ME app on their phone. Unable to meet in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic, participants completed binge eating (BEQ) and mindful eating (MEQ) questionnaires online at the onset of the project. Following an educational video introducing the benefit of ME along with instructions on how to use the app Am I Hungry? participants were instructed to use the app on their phone for 4-weeks. At the end of the intervention using the mobile app to support ME, a follow up BEQ, MEQ, and short answer survey assessing usability and feasibility was conducted. Results: A total of 11 participants were initially recruited to the project. At the conclusion of the 4-week period, only three of these participants completed post BEQ, MEQ, and short answer surveys. Conclusions: Although 36% of the initial respondents’ binge eating scores indicated mild to moderate binge eating, lack of retention of participants led to inconclusive effectiveness results. Limitations related to COVID-19’s impact upon intervention and technology are discussed. Future implications include the need to address stakeholder buy-in when in person recruitment and education are not available, the consideration of paper surveys to overcome hospital firewall challenges, and the negative impact mandatory wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) has on easy access to the cellular phone app.