Reducing Eating Disorder Risk Factors

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Eating Disorders
• Interventions: Behavioral: Web-based intervention to reduce eating disorder risk factors

• Registration Number: NCT00050570
• Lead Sponsor: Stanford University

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a web-based program is effective in reducing the incidence of eating disorders in college women who are at high risk for developing an eating disorder.

Detailed Description

Female college students who use unhealthy weight control methods and have body image concerns may be at risk for developing an eating disorder. Developing and evaluating interventions to reduce eating disorders in high-risk populations is of great public health importance.

Participants are randomly assigned to either join a web-based risk-reduction program or receive no intervention. The 9-week risk-reduction program focuses on reducing body image and weight/shape concerns, identifying the risks of eating disorders, and increasing healthy weight regulation practices. The program includes weekly readings, writing assignments, and participation in a moderated electronic discussion group. Changes in body mass index (BMI) and the occurrence of major stressors and psychiatric events are assessed to determine their impact on the incidence of eating disorders. One-year incidence of eating disorders is determined by a diagnostic interview, and follow up may continue for up to 2.5 years.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2001-02
• Study First Submitted: 2002-12-16
• Study First Submitted QC: 2002-12-16
• Study First Posted: 2002-12-17
• Primary Completion: 2012-04-30
• Study Completion: 2012-04-30
• Status Verified: 2020-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2020-03-16
• Last Update Posted: 2020-03-18

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 206

Inclusion Criteria

• College students at risk for developing an eating disorder

Exclusion Criteria

• Suicidal or other severe psychopathology
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Body mass index (BMI) < 18 or > 32
• Current diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or bulimia nervosa and have been in treatment within the past 6 months

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Intervention	Web-based intervention to reduce eating disorder risk factors	An 8-week, Internet- based, structured cognitive- behavioral program combined with an online, asynchronous, moderated discussion group.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Onset of an eating disorder	2 years	The main outcome is the onset of an eating disorder, as defined by DSM-IV

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in eating disorder behaviors	2 years	Eating disorder behaviors as measured by the Eating Disorder Examination. We will also measure attitudes related to eating disorder onset risk

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Stanford University, Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; 🇺🇸 Stanford, California, United States