Eating Disorders
Conditions
Keywords
Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating, Binge-Eating Disorder
Brief summary
This study will examine the ability of an Internet-based program to prevent college-aged women from developing eating disorders.
Detailed description
Approximately 2% to 4% of college-aged women suffer from eating disorders (EDs), and many more are at risk of developing them. A previous Internet-based intervention called Student Bodies (SB), which focused on body image concerns, was effective in reducing risk factors for EDs among college-aged women. However, the original SB program did not account for certain other risk factors, such as depression and compensatory behaviors like self-induced vomiting, over-exercising, or use of diuretics. Image and Mood (IaM) is an enhanced version of the SB program and takes into account depressive symptoms and the use of compensatory behaviors. This study will examine whether IaM will reduce ED risk factors in a large population of college women who are at high risk of developing EDs. Participation in this study will last 10 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive the IaM program or be placed on a wait list. The IaM program, which will be delivered through the Internet, will provide information about nutrition, exercise, body image, and coping skills-including examples and exercises. It will also include an online message board monitored by a study psychologist. Each week the IaM participants will monitor their behavior, keep a journal about their experiences, and answer self-report questionnaires. Assessments of eating disorder symptoms; weight and shape concerns; depressive symptoms; and incidence of substance abuse, anxiety, or depressive disorders will be completed post-treatment and at 1- and 1.5-month follow-ups. Those assigned to the wait list will complete these assessments and then receive the IaM program after the last follow-up.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALImage and Mood (IaM) program
A 10-week Internet-based intervention focused on (1) identifying and challenging automatic thoughts in order to improve body image and reduce negative affect, (2) developing adaptive emotion and behavior regulation skills associated with preventing disordered eating and negative affect, and (3) teaching relapse prevention skills. The program includes an online discussion group moderated by a study clinician.
Sponsors
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Washington University School of Medicine
Stanford University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
for Primary Aim: * Access to a computer with an Internet connection * Weight Concerns Scale score greater than or equal to 47 * Presence of one additional risk factor, including a history of teasing, a history of depression, or low levels of compensatory behaviors (defined as less than four times per month) Inclusion Criteria for Secondary Aim: * Access to a computer with an Internet connection * Weight Concerns Scale score greater than or equal to 47
Exclusion criteria
for Both Primary and Secondary Aims: * Current diagnosis of an eating disorder * Treated for an eating disorder within the past 6 months * Currently receiving psychological treatment for an eating disorder or depressive disorder * Started a new psychiatric medication within the past 2 months * Exhibiting a level of psychopathology that would interfere with participation (e.g., acutely suicidal)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Eating disorder diagnoses | Measured after 10 weeks, 1 year, and 1.5 years |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Weight Concerns Scale | Measured after 10 weeks, 1 year, and 1.5 years |
| Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaires (EDE-Q) | Measured after 10 weeks, 1 year, and 1.5 years |
| Depressive symptoms, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory and Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale | Measured after 10 weeks, 1 year, and 1.5 years |
| Combined incidence of substance abuse, alcohol abuse, anxiety disorders, and depressive disorders | Measured after 10 weeks, 1 year, and 1.5 years |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed