Combined Eating Disorder and Weight Loss Online Guided-Self Help Intervention Pilot Study

The intersection of eating disorders and overweight/obesity reveals a large, and mostly underserved, population. Having overweight/obesity as a child is a risk factor for an ED, as many adolescents with overweight/obesity utilize disordered eating methods in order to lose weight. Conversely, binge-type EDs increase risk for overweight/obesity as binge episodes can lead to further weight gain. Additionally, treatment of overweight early is especially important as individuals with overweight have an increased likelihood of moving from overweight to obesity status. Despite this intertwined problem, few interventions exist that address ED pathology combined with a healthy weight loss (WL) intervention. A particular population in need of intervention for EDs with comorbid overweight/obesity is the college student population. Intervention at the college level is important as it is also prevention for future complications of EDs and overweight/obesity. Combined intervention for EDs and overweight for young adults, specifically college students, is needed programming which could potentially have substantial long-term health benefits. This project will pilot an online, guided self-help ED intervention that offers cognitive behavioral therapy based tools to improve ED symptoms while also teaching the healthy WL methods and maintenance of behavioral WL for individuals with clinical/sub-clinical binge-type EDs with comorbid overweight/obesity. Participants will take the online screen by going to the URL address listed on the study advertisement. Before answering any survey questions, they will read a consent information sheet on the study, and consent to having their information stored so that they can be reached later if eligible for the long term study. They will then complete screening questions asking about their eating habits and weight and shape concerns. Lastly, they will be asked if they are interested in taking part in the long term study, and if so, at what email address would they like to be reached. Eligible criteria include endorsing clinical/sub-clinical symptoms of a binge-type ED, having a BMI > 25, and wanting to lose weight. If an individual screens positive for having low weight, as characterized by a BMI < 18.5, they will automatically be provided a referral to student health services at the end of their survey. Those that are eligible to participate will be sent emails to ask if they are interested in participating in this study. If they are interested, they will come into the lab to read and sign consent information. To minimize coercion, they will have as much time as they like to read and consider participation.