Work

Virtual Intervention for Binge Eating (VIBE): Study protocol for a user-informed mobile intervention for dysregulated eating and weight gain prevention in adolescents

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background 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. Methods : 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/m 2 ) ≥ 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. Conclusions : 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. Clinical trial registration number : NCT06819813

Source: Contemporary Clinical Trials

DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2025.108192