Comparison of a standard behavioral weight loss treatment and a binge eating weight loss treatment

Abstract

Women with no, moderate, or severe binge eating were treated with either a standard behavioral weight loss treatment or a weight loss treatment modified to better address binge eating problems. Results indicated significant interactions between type of treatment and binge severity for weight loss. At posttreatment, there was a trend for women with severe binge eating to lose more weight in the binge eating treatment. This difference was significant at follow-up, as women with severe binge eating in the binge eating treatment continued to lose weight. Women with moderate binge eating problems lost more weight in the standard treatment. Weight loss for women who did not binge eat did not differ between the treatments. Binge eating, dietary restraint, and depression were significantly reduced, but were not reduced more by the binge eating treatment. Results provide preliminary data on an effective weight loss treatment for women with severe binge eating problems.