Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescent Binge Eating and Loss of Control Eating

Youth who engage in binge eating or loss-of-control eating are at high risk for physical and mental health impairment, as well as excess weight gain. As there are few evidence-based treatments for adolescents with binge/loss-of-control eating, assessment and treatment have received minimal attention for adolescent patients. Among adults, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has a strong evidence base for binge-eating disorder. Adolescents have unique social, cognitive and emotional needs because of their developmental stage; unique treatment approaches are essential to meet these unique needs. This study will develop a new CBT treatment for adolescents with binge eating or loss-of-control eating (modifying adult CBT for binge-eating disorder, conducting interviews with adolescents about aspects of treatment that need to be modified, conducting an open series of patients who receive the active treatment). This study will also test the efficacy of the newly-developed CBT for adolescents with binge/loss-of-control eating versus a control group in a randomized controlled trial.