The Slow Down Program: A mixed methods pilot study of a mindfulness-based stress management and nutrition education program for mothers

•Stress is a contributor to a broad range of adverse health outcomes and unhealthy eating behaviors, particularly in mothers.•The effectiveness of mindfulness-based programs on stress is well established, but less is known about their effect on eating behaviors.•The Slow Down Program is a mindfulness-based stress management and nutrition education program designed for mothers.•Mindfulness-based stress management may be an effective approach to managing stress and improving unhealthy eating behaviors. Stress levels have been associated with a broad range of adverse health outcomes, particularly for mothers and subsequently, their children. Mindfulness-based stress management is a tool that has effectively been utilized in several disciplines and has potential applications to eating behaviors. This paper describes the effects of an exploratory mindfulness-based stress management and nutrition education program, the Slow Down Program, on mothers’ perceived stress, eating behavior, and self-efficacy. This study used a mixed methods quasi-experimental design. Nineteen mothers with young children (five or younger) participated in the study. The SDP consisted of four consecutive weekly 1.5 h sessions focused on experiential learning and facilitated discussion. Quantitative data were collected pre- and post-intervention and included: the Perceived Stress Scale; Mindfulness Self-Efficacy Scale; and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire Revised-18. Qualitative data included a focus group post-intervention and an individual interview 4–6 weeks post-intervention. The SDP showed significant improvements in participants’ perceived stress (p = .04), uncontrolled eating (p