Precursors of Binge Eating Disorder in a Clinical Sample of Adolescents With Obesity

Launched by FUNDACIÓ SANT JOAN DE DÉU · Apr 24, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on understanding early signs of Binge Eating Disorder (BED) in teenagers who are dealing with obesity. Researchers want to learn how changes in brain activity and behavior can help identify which adolescents might develop BED later on. The study involves comparing three groups of young people: those with BED, those showing early signs of BED (called precursor forms), and a healthy group without eating disorders. By using brain scans and looking at their eating behaviors, the researchers hope to find ways to predict who may be more likely to face challenges in the future.

To participate, teens aged 12 to 16 who are struggling with obesity (as measured by their weight) can join the study. They will need permission from a parent or guardian, and those showing signs of BED or early symptoms will be included. Participants can expect to undergo brain scans and assessments of their eating habits and emotional health. This study is important because it aims to identify at-risk youth early on, potentially leading to better support and treatment options for those in need.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patients derived to the Endocrinology Department with obesity as the main criterion for consultation, measured as body mass index (BMI) z-score above 2 standard deviations.
• • Age between 12-16 years old.
• • Signed informed consent by parents or legal guardians of subjects, plus the signed consent by the adolescent when being 12 or older years/old.
• Additional inclusion criteria for the BED and PREC-BED groups:
• • The presence of DSM-5 criteria for BED in the BED group.
• • Fulfilling the LOC (loss of control) criteria (related to the original Marcus\&Kalarchian) in the PREC-BED group.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Intelligence quotient \< 70 measured with the K-BIT.
• • Any comorbid psychiatric disorder, except BED in the BED group or PREC-BED in the PREC-BED group. Tobacco use and the presence of an adaptative disorder or any mild anxiety disorder will be accepted in all groups.
• • Traumatic brain injury or any neurological disorder.
• • Use of dental braces (due to important artifact in MRI).
• • MRI: Absolute contraindications (e.g.: metal objects), relative contraindications (claustrophobia). Anthropometric measures: Weight \> 150Kg or shoulder to shoulder measurement \> 70 cm.
• • Any severe medical conditions (including Sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome), except for obesity and metabolic syndrome.
• • Not signing the informed consent.
• • Pregnancy for females.