The feasibility of a personality targeted intervention for addictive overeating: FoodFix

Recent reviews have identified potential treatment targets for addictive overeating. These include: motivational interviewing, development of specific coping strategies for emotional regulation and the use of harm minimisation strategies based on interventions for substance use disorders. However, there is very little experiential evidence. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of a personality-targeted motivational interviewing intervention in adults above the healthy-weight range with symptoms of addictive eating, to reduce symptoms of addictive overeating and improve dietary profiles. Individuals with overweight and obesity (BMI >25 kg/m²) with addictive eating as defined by the modified Yale Food Addiction Scale (mYFAS) were recruited to a three-session intervention held over 3 months. Sessions were conducted by telehealth and facilitated by dietitians. Fifty-two individuals were randomised to either intervention or control (mean age 43.6 ± 12.2yrs, mean BMI 36.7 ± 6.8 kg/m², 96% female). At three month follow up, there were significant reductions from baseline (BL) for both groups in total YFAS 2.0 symptoms, however, these changes were not significantly different between groups (intervention BL 8.0 ± 2.7; 3-months 6.5 ± 3.8, control BL 8.1 ± 2.5; 3-months 6.9 ± 3.9, p > 0.05). At 3 months the intervention group significantly reduced their energy from non-core foods compared with control (intervention BL 48% energy/day; 3-months 38%, control BL 41% energy/day; 3-months 38%, p < 0.01). The FoodFix intervention provides insight to the development of future management interventions for addictive eating.