Binge Eating Self-help Treatment for University Students

Francine Rosselli130 enrolled

Overview

BEST4US compares the effectiveness of two forms of self-help interventions that target college students, ages 18 years to 22 years, who report binge eating. The overall question is whether one or the other format will prevent excess weight gain and lead to differences in eating behaviors. The two formats are (1) "pure self-help" (receipt of a self-help program via book form or online texts) and (2) a combination of the self-help program and guidance provided by a trained peer coach over the course of 8 weekly sessions.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

130

Conditions

Obesity Binge Eating Disorder

Interventions

Guided Self-HelpBEHAVIORAL

Pure Self-HelpBEHAVIORAL

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 22 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * binge eating episodes at least once per week in the past 28 days * 18 to 22 years old * full-time student at Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT, USA) or Manchester Community College (Manchester, CT, USA) Exclusion Criteria: * purging more than once per week in the past three months * BMI less than 18 or greater than/equal to 40 * currently pregnant * severe depressive symptoms or suicidality

Locations (2)

Manchester Community College Department of Psychology

Manchester, Connecticut, United States

Wesleyan University Department of Psychology

Middletown, Connecticut, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

BMI

The primary outcome measure is change in BMI from randomization. Height and weight will be measured by study staff at the baseline visit using a stadiometer (collecting height measures twice and reporting the average) and a calibrated scale (light clothing, street shoes removed). BMI will be calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in squared centimeters. Weight will be re-measured at 8 week- and 6 month assessments. BMI change is a primary-, and incidence of obesity (i.e., obesity onset since baseline, BMI \> 30) is a secondary outcome variable. While we assess weight at the post-treatment assessment, the key question of our study is whether the intervention will reduce excess weight gain at 6-month follow-up.

Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (8-week), and 6-month follow-up

Secondary Outcomes

Cessation of Binge Eating

Binge eating is assessed by clinical interview using an abbreviated version of the Eating Disorders Examination (EDE-16e) at baseline, post-treatment (8-week), and 6-month follow-up. Specifically, the EDE sections on 7-day meal patterns, overeating episodes, and the frequency of inappropriate compensatory behaviors will be administered. The key question of our study is whether the intervention will eliminate binge eating at 6-month follow-up (no reported binge eating episodes in the 28 days prior to the 6-month follow-up).

Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (8-week), and 6-month follow-up

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.