Reduction in eating disorder symptoms among adults in different weight loss interventions

Abstract

Restriction of food intake and counting calories as part of weight loss programs are thought to trigger eating behaviors and attitudes which can lead to eating disorders. We have developed a treatment model, Regulation of Cues (ROC), that targets appetitive traits, including food responsiveness and satiety responsiveness, which could address overeating at an implicit level and reduce risk of detrimental behaviors and attitudes. This manuscript evaluates eating disorder symptoms, attitudes, and behaviors among adults with overweight or obesity randomized to ROC, behavioral weight loss (BWL), a combination of ROC + BWL (ROC+) and an active comparator (AC). Participants included 271 adults with a body mass index of 25 to 45, age 18 to 65 years, and a lack of comorbidities that could interfere with participation. Assessments occurred at baseline, mid-treatment (6 months), post-treatment (12-months) and 6- and 12-month follow-up. During treatment, participants in all four arms showed decreases in Eating, Weight, and Shape concerns on the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire and binge eating symptoms on the Binge Eating Scale which were maintained at 6-month follow-up but increased at the 12-month follow-up. Both the ROC+ and BWL arms showed increases in Restraint during treatment which dissipated after treatment ended. This study contributes to a growing body of literature demonstrating that weight loss programs are not associated with increases in eating disorder symptoms. Future studies should evaluate interventions to maintain improvements in eating disorder symptoms following weight loss programs.

Keywords: Binge eating; Eating disorders; Iatrogenic and treatment; Obesity; Weight loss.