Abstract

Binge-type eating disorders (EDs) and obesity-related health concerns are two serious medical issues, though study of their treatment has largely remained separate. This study implemented an online, guided self-help ED intervention that concurrently offered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-based tools to improve ED symptoms, while also teaching energy-density food principles of behavioral weight loss (BWL), for individuals with clinical/sub-clinical binge-type EDs with comorbid overweight/obesity. The study aimed to examine change in weight, change in ED symptoms, and program engagement between a combined intervention (CBT + BWL) and an ED-only intervention. Participants in the combined intervention group received weekly session content pertaining to ED and weight-loss interventions and participants in the control group received sessions with ED-only intervention content. Outcomes from the combined intervention group and the ED-only intervention group did not significantly differ from each other. While both groups achieved a reduction in EDE-Q Global scores (p < .001) and binge episodes (p < .001) from baseline to post-intervention, one group did not reduce outcomes more than the other (ps > .05). These results suggest that more research is needed in order to address the gap in treatment for those with comorbid binge-type EDs and overweight/obesity.

Committee Chair

Denise E Wilfley

Committee Members

Mike Strube

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Author's Department

Psychology

Author's School

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Document Type

Dissertation

Date of Award

Winter 12-15-2022

Language

English (en)

Author's ORCID

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9691-4832

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