Virtual Intervention for Binge Eating (VIBE): Study protocol for a user-informed mobile intervention for dysregulated...

Pediatric overweight and obesity continue to be major public health issues. Loss of control (LOC) eating and overeating are two obesity-related phenotypes affecting approximately 30 % of adolescents with overweight/obesity that may undermine weight control treatment outcome. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has promising effects on dysregulated eating, but effects on weight are modest, access is limited, and developmental changes in self-regulation (which may limit implementation of treatment skills) are often ignored.

In the current proposal, we will apply human-centered design methods to design and test a novel CBT-based digital intervention, augmented with content and features to improve self-regulation, for weight gain prevention and dysregulated eating in adolescents. The first phase will involve design activities with adolescents (n = 25-30) who have body mass index (BMI; kg/m²) ≥ 75th percentile for age and sex and report dysregulated eating, to understand desired presentation, features, and barriers/facilitators to engagement. Research activities will include a needs assessment and iterative prototyping, usability testing, and refinement of the digital intervention. The second phase will be a multisite single arm open trial involving 50 adolescents who have or are at risk for overweight/obesity and report LOC and/or overeating to investigate intervention feasibility and preliminary efficacy, as well as putative treatment mechanisms and targets.

Results of the study will inform the design of an adequately powered randomized controlled trial. The project has clear potential to significantly impact public health via development of a relevant, accessible, and scalable intervention for adolescents at risk for adverse physical and mental health outcomes.

NCT06819813.