Abstract
BackgroundBinge eating disorder is a prevalent adolescent disorder, associated with increased eating disorder and general psychopathology as well as an increased risk for overweight and obesity. As opposed to binge eating disorder in adults, there is a lack of validated psychological treatments for this condition in adolescents. The goal of this research project is therefore to determine the efficacy of age-adapted cognitive-behavioral therapy in adolescents with binge eating disorder – the gold standard treatment for adults with binge eating disorder.Methods/designIn a single-center efficacy trial, 60 12- to 20-year-old adolescents meeting diagnostic criteria of binge eating disorder (full-syndrome or subthreshold) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th or 5th Edition, will be centrally randomized to 4 months of cognitive-behavioral therapy (n = 30) or a waiting-list control condition (n = 30). Using an observer-blind design, patients are assessed at baseline, mid-treatment, post-treatment, and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups after the end of treatment. In 20 individual outpatient sessions, cognitive-behavioral therapy for adolescents focuses on eating behavior, body image, and stress; parents receive psychoeducation on these topics. Primary endpoint is the number of episodes with binge eating over the previous 28 days at post-treatment using a state-of-the art clinical interview. Secondary outcome measures address the specific eating disorder psychopathology, general psychopathology, mental comorbidity, self-esteem, quality of life, and body weight.DiscussionThis trial will allow us to determine the short- and long-term efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy in adolescent binge eating disorder, to determine cost-effectiveness, and to identify predictors of treatment outcome. Evidence will be gathered regarding whether this treatment will help to prevent excessive weight gain. If efficacy can be demonstrated, the results from this trial will enhance availability of evidence-based treatment of adolescent binge eating disorder.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00000542
Highlights
Binge eating disorder is a prevalent adolescent disorder, associated with increased eating disorder and general psychopathology as well as an increased risk for overweight and obesity
Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by recurrent binge eating that occurs, in contrast to the binge eating in bulimia nervosa (BN), in the absence of regular inappropriate
Recent evidence indicates that a substantial proportion of adolescents suffer from BED and associated psychopathology
Summary
Recent evidence indicates that a substantial proportion of adolescents suffer from BED and associated psychopathology. One randomized pilot study demonstrated feasibility and suggested potential efficacy of a brief individual CBT for binge eating and associated psychopathology [46]; another randomized clinical trial showed that an Internet-based program based on CBT principles (among other principles) was efficacious in facilitating weight loss or weight maintenance, and reducing binge eating and shape and weight concerns in overweight adolescents with recurrent binge eating [47] Both trials included mixed populations of recurrent binge eaters: compensatory behaviors [47] and/or BN [46] were not excluded, and binge eating frequently lay below the diagnostic threshold of BED [46]. She serves as the President of German Eating Disorders Society
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