Randomized, controlled trial of an internet-facilitated intervention for reducing binge eating and overweight in adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the efficacy of an Internet-facilitated intervention for weight maintenance and binge eating in adolescents.


METHODS
A total of 105 adolescent male and female high school students at risk for overweight (mean age: 15.1 +/- 1.0 years) were randomly assigned to a 16-week online intervention, StudentBodies2-BED (n = 52), or the wait-list control group (n = 53).


RESULTS
Participants in the StudentBodies2-BED group had significantly lower BMI z scores and BMI from baseline assessment to follow-up assessment, compared with the wait-list control group. In addition, significant reductions in objective binge episodes and subjective binge episodes from baseline assessment to posttreatment assessment and from baseline assessment to follow-up assessment were observed among StudentBodies2-BED participants. The StudentBodies2-BED group also reported significantly reduced weight and shape concerns from posttreatment assessment to follow-up assessment and from baseline assessment to follow-up assessment. Participants in the StudentBodies2-BED group who engaged in objective overeating or binge eating episodes at baseline assessment experienced a significantly greater reduction in BMI at follow-up assessment, compared with the wait-list control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that an Internet-facilitated intervention is moderately effective in short-term weight loss and weight maintenance and yields a large reduction in binge eating. This study also demonstrates that weight management and reduction of eating disorder psychopathological features can be achieved simultaneously by using an easily disseminated, Internet-facilitated program.
Jones
Megan
M
Pacific Graduate School of Psychology-Stanford Doctor of Psychology Consortium, Palo Alto, California, USA. meganjones@stanford.edu
Luce
Kristine H
KH
Osborne
Megan I
MI
Taylor
Katherine
K
Cunning
Darby
D
Doyle
Angela Celio
AC
Wilfley
Denise E
DE
Taylor
C Barr
CB
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002032:Bulimia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003219:Confidentiality; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss