Evaluation of a combined, online intervention for binge-type eating disorders and high body weight in young adults

This study tested an online guided self-help intervention that provided cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) tools for EDs and behavioral weight loss (BWL) content to young adults with binge-type EDs and high body weight.METHOD: 60 adults aged 18-39 with clinical/subclinical binge-type EDs and high body weight were randomized to a combined condition or a CBT-only condition. Participants received self-help content for 8 weeks and self-reported ED attitudes, frequency of binge eating and compensatory behaviors, and weight at baseline, 4-weeks, and 8-weeks. Linear mixed models and negative binomial models compared changes between conditions in ED attitudes, ED behaviors, and weight at each timepoint. Chi-square test and independent samples t-test compared program completion and session engagement between conditions.RESULTS: No significant differences in weight change or ED symptom change emerged between the conditions. Both conditions achieved significant reductions in ED attitudes, binge episodes, and compensatory behaviors from baseline to 8-weeks (ps < .05). Neither condition demonstrated significant weight loss from baseline to 8-weeks. Program completion (47 %) and session engagement (57 %) were equally high across conditions.DISCUSSION: Both conditions achieved ED symptom change; however, neither condition was associated with weight change. Research is needed to identify the types of strategies and doses of BWL that promote clinically significant weight and ED symptom cha...
Source: Eating Behaviors - Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Authors: Source Type: research