A Self-Guided Mobile Intervention for Adults With Binge Eating and Obesity

Launched by DREXEL UNIVERSITY · Feb 5, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new mobile app called ChangeBite, designed to help adults who struggle with binge eating and obesity. The goal is to see how well this self-guided digital intervention works for people experiencing these challenges. The study is looking for about 30 participants aged 18 to 70 who speak English, have binge eating episodes, and have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Participants will need to have a smartphone that meets certain requirements and should not be receiving other treatments for eating disorders or weight loss during the trial.

If you decide to participate, you will start by attending a screening session at a clinic in Philadelphia, where researchers will check if you meet the eligibility criteria. After that, you’ll use the ChangeBite app independently, with follow-up video calls scheduled at 12 weeks and 24 weeks to assess your progress. Throughout the trial, you’ll be asked to share your experiences and how often you use the app. Additionally, you will keep track of your weight weekly using a photo of your scale. This study aims to gather information on how easy the app is to use and how helpful it is for managing binge eating and weight.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Are English speaking male or female
• • 2. Are aged 18-70 years
• • 3. Have recurrent objective or subjective binge eating episodes (≥12 episodes in 3 months)
• • 4. Have BMI ≥30
• • 5. Own an iPhone with iOS 11 or higher, or Android with OS 8.1 or higher
• • 6. Are willing and able to complete enrollment procedures
• • 7. Are able to understand the nature of the study and provide written informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Are unable to fluently speak, write and read English.
• • 2. Are already receiving treatment for an eating disorder (e.g., research participants cannot be receiving concurrent eating disorder treatment from another provider)
• • 3. Are receiving weight loss treatment (behavioral or pharmacological)
• • 4. Have a mental handicap or are currently experiencing severe psychopathology that would limit their ability to engage in study (e.g., imminent or high risk for suicide, substance use disorder, active psychotic disorder,)
• • 5. Are purging and/or using laxatives 3 or more times per week and are not deemed safe for remote treatment by a primary care provider.
• • 6. Are exercising 2 or more hours a day on average, or engaging in significantly harmful compensatory behaviors (i.e., \> 3x/week of self-induced vomiting or laxative use), and are not deemed safe for remote treatment by a primary care provider.
• • 7. Are fasting for 24 hours or more, \> 3x times a week, and are not deemed safe for remote treatment by a primary care provider.
• • 8. Are unwilling to receive medical clearance and/or medical monitoring as requested by the study to ensure they are medically safe to participate.
• • 9. Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant within the next year.
• • 10. Are individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers) Are currently taking any of these medications: Haldol, Loxitane, Mellaril, Moban, Navane, Prolixin, Serentil, Stelaxine, Trilafon, Thoraxine, Abilify, Clozaril, Geodon, Risperdal, Seroquel, Zyprexa
• • 11. Are adults unable to consent
• • 12. Are prisoners