2 - (SYM 48) Feasibility and Acceptability of a Single-session, Acceptance-based Online Intervention Targeting Food Cravings as Predictors of Binge and Loss of Control Eating in Pregnancy

Background: Pregnancy is a window of heightened vulnerability for the development and exacerbation of disordered eating symptoms. Binge and loss of control (LOC) eating in pregnancy have been linked to a wide range of adverse outcomes. Food cravings, which are known predictors of binge and LOC eating, are endorsed by as many as 70% of pregnant individuals. Acceptance-based strategies have demonstrated efficacy in managing food cravings in diverse populations yet have not been applied to pregnant individuals. This study sought to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a single-session, self-guided, acceptance-based online workshop targeting food cravings as predictors of binge and LOC eating in pregnancy.

Methods: Participants were recruited via the online platform Prolific. Inclusion criteria were currently pregnant in the second trimester and experiencing any food cravings. The one-hour self-guided workshop included evidence-based exercises, brief video clips, and reflection activities designed to clarify values, set goals, teach skills to foster acceptance, defusion, and present-moment awareness, and encourage mindful eating. Each intervention module concluded with key takeaways and brief knowledge assessments. Intervention acceptability and feasibility were assessed after workshop completion.

Results: 65 participants were invited to participate; 44 completed the workshop. Participants knew relatively little about acceptance-based skills prior to the workshop (M = 3.18, SD = 2.46; 1= “nothing” - 9 = “very much”). Median completion time was 54 minutes. There was minimal missing data. Participants responded correctly to an average of 5.34 of the 6 knowledge assessments (SD = .89). The intervention was rated as logical (M = 7.16, SD = 1.67; 1 = “not at all logical” - 9 = “very logical”) and participants agreed that the information provided would successfully reduce concerns about their eating patterns (M = 6.48, SD = 1.73; 1 = “not at all successfully” - 9 = “very successfully”). Participants were generally confident in recommending the workshop to a friend (M = 6.68, SD = 2.06; 1 = “not at all” - 9 = “very much”). The majority (86.4%) thought it would be beneficial to integrate the workshop into standard prenatal care; 77.3% expressed a preference for the online format.

Conclusion: Data support the acceptability of an online, self-guided acceptance-based workshop and lay the foundation for research to examine the efficacy of the intervention in targeting food cravings as predictors of disordered eating behaviors in pregnancy.