Psychosocial preventive interventions for obesity and eating disorders in youths

Abstract

The rates of paediatric obesity have risen dramatically. Given the challenge of successful weight loss and maintenance, preventive interventions are sorely needed. Furthermore, since a substantial proportion of individuals do not respond to traditional behavioural weight loss therapy, alternative approaches are required. Psychological treatments for binge eating disorder have been generally effective at reducing binge episodes and producing weight maintenance or modest weight loss in obese adults. Given the strong link between loss of control eating and obesity in youths, binge eating disorder treatment may serve as a viable form of excess weight gain prevention. An adapted version of interpersonal psychotherapy for binge eating disorder is one such intervention that we have considered. A description of the theoretical basis and proposed mechanism is described. Adaptations of interpersonal psychotherapy and other established therapies for binge eating disorder may serve as platforms from which to develop and disseminate obesity and eating disorder prevention programs in children and adolescents.

From Passive Overeating to “Food Addiction”: A Spectrum of Compulsion and Severity

“…Moreover, it is no longer seen as a syndrome exclusive to adulthood as it once was. In recent years, bingeing or “loss-of-control” eating has also become prevalent in middle childhood and early adolescence [157]. Also pertinent to the theme of the current review is the observation that the 12-month prevalence of binge eating and illicit drug dependence occurs at roughly the same rate—in about 2% to 3% of the population [158].…”

Compulsive Overeating as an Addictive Behavior: Overlap Between Food Addiction and Binge Eating Disorder

“…Moreover, it is no longer seen as a syndrome exclusive to adulthood. In recent years, bingeing or 'loss-of-control' eating has also become prevalent in middle childhood and early adolescence [52].…”

Engaging African American Adolescents and Stakeholders to Adapt Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Weight Gain Prevention

“…Additionally, the societal interpersonal stressors experienced by AA youth due to their minority status (e.g., racial discrimination) may also contribute to LOC eating and may be worth addressing within the context of new obesity prevention efforts tailored to this community (e.g., Rhea & Thatcher, 2013; Striegel-Moore & Smolak, 2000). A program that simultaneously targets interpersonal difficulties, mood disturbance, and excessive weight gain may serve as one selective approach to reduce obesity among AA adolescent girls reporting LOC eating (Tanofsky-Kraff, 2012).…”