Changes in eating behaviour following group therapy for women who binge eat: a pilot study

Abstract

Survey research is demonstrating that binge eating and compulsive eating may be a significant problem in the obese population. There is higher incidence of binge eating among women, associated with subjective distress and poor prognosis for weight control. Despite attendant health risks, researched clinical responses have not been developed. A before and after uncontrolled pilot study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of group therapy for women who binge eat and compulsively eat. Participants attended a weekly integrative therapy group for 6 months. Measurements before and after the group intervention were taken using the Binge Eating Scale and Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation inventories. Before and after interviews were thematically analysed for changes in eating behaviour. Following the group intervention, all participants demonstrated changes in eating behaviour measured by the Binge Eating Scale, the overall effect from baseline to 1 year demonstrates statistical significance. Qualitative data revealed four categories that underpinned reduction in binge eating: changes in dichotomous thinking, awareness of eating behaviour, detachment from food and dietary changes. An integrative model of group therapy warrants further research and refinement for this population, a group protocol for nurses working in the field of obesity and eating disorders could be developed.

“That chair work thing was great”: a pilot study of group-based emotion-focused therapy for anxiety and depression

“…Construction of the semi-structured interview questions was based on qualitative interview guidelines outlined in the literature (Creswell, 2003(Creswell, , 2007Merriam, 2009), phenomenological perspectives (Creswell, 2003(Creswell, , 2007Smith & Eatough, 2007;Smith & Osborn, 2008), and group-based psychotherapy interview schedules (Kimball, Wieling, & Brimhall, 2009;Seamoore, Buckroyd, & Stott, 2006). The interview schedule was not prescriptive; rather, it served as a basis for conversation with the participants and aimed to keep the participants engaged, talking freely, and sharing all thoughts about their experience, both positive and negative (Creswell, 2007;Merriam, 2009).…”

How does thinking in Black and White terms relate to eating behavior and weight regain?

“…Despite the potential relevance of dichotomous thinking in the food and eating domain, the relationship between dichotomous thinking and behavioral parameters such as dietary restraint and weight regain has been explored in very few studies so far and mainly within the areas of obesity and/or eating disorders research (Alberts et al, 2012;Byrne et al, 2003Byrne et al, , 2004Dove et al, 2009;Lethbridge et al, 2011;Lingswiler et al, 1989;Ramacciotti et al, 2008;Seamoore et al, 2006). The relationship between cognitive and behavioral outcomes is expected to be more pronounced in people with eating disorders, who are more likely to hold dysfunctional cognitions related to food and eating (Epstein and Meier, 1989;Teasdale et al, 2001).…”

Dietary restraint and self-regulation in eating behavior

“…93,94 Less dichotomous thinking was also associated with reductions in binge eating in a qualitative study of binge eaters undergoing group therapy. 95 A flexible approach to eating may be a factor distinguishing between those who are able to adhere to their dietary aims and those who are prone to failure.…”