Summary
Researchers from UC San Diego found that a novel treatment called regulation of cues combined with behavioral weight loss (ROC+BWL) was more effective than standard cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in reducing binge eating among Veterans with overweight or obesity.
Source: Newswise
AI News Q&A (Free Content)
Q1: What is the Regulation of Cues (ROC) combined with Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL), and how does it differ from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in treating binge eating among veterans?
A1: Regulation of Cues (ROC) combined with Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL) is a novel treatment approach that focuses on improving sensitivity to internal hunger cues and decreasing responsiveness to external food cues. It differs from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which primarily focuses on changing patterns of thinking and behavior. ROC+BWL was found to be more effective in reducing binge eating episodes among veterans, with a 20% lower risk of binge eating compared to CBT during and after treatment.
Q2: What were the main outcomes of the study comparing ROC+BWL and CBT for binge eating treatment among veterans?
A2: The study found that participants undergoing ROC+BWL experienced a greater reduction in binge eating episodes compared to those receiving CBT. Additionally, ROC+BWL led to more significant weight loss during the treatment period, although these weight differences were not sustained in the follow-up period. These results suggest that ROC+BWL could offer a more effective and durable solution for veterans struggling with disordered eating.
Q3: How was the study on ROC+BWL conducted, and what was the demographic of the participants?
A3: The study was a randomized controlled trial involving 129 veterans with a mean age of 47 years and a mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 34.8. Participants were recruited from the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System and the general San Diego community. The trial included weekly 90-minute group sessions over five months, with a six-month follow-up to assess the long-term effectiveness of the treatment.
Q4: What are some potential psychological and health consequences of binge eating and obesity among veterans?
A4: Binge eating and obesity in veterans are associated with significant psychological issues, including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Health consequences can include increased risks for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels. Addressing binge eating effectively is crucial for improving both mental and physical health outcomes in this population.
Q5: What are the implications of the ROC+BWL study for future treatment approaches for binge eating disorder?
A5: The success of ROC+BWL in reducing binge eating suggests that treatment approaches focusing on internal cues and reducing responsiveness to external food cues could be more effective than traditional methods like CBT. This insight could lead to the development of more targeted therapies for binge eating disorder, particularly for populations such as veterans who may face unique challenges.
Q6: What role do targeted weight-loss advertisements play in the context of binge eating, according to recent research?
A6: Recent research highlights that targeted weight-loss advertisements can harm individuals with histories of disordered eating by reinforcing low self-esteem and pre-existing anxieties about food and exercise. These ads often exploit personal vulnerabilities through persistent data collection and oversimplified relevancy models, potentially facilitating unhealthy behaviors.
Q7: How might future technologies like smart glasses contribute to the study and treatment of binge eating disorders?
A7: Technologies such as smart glasses could revolutionize the study and treatment of binge eating disorders by providing more accurate and sustainable methods for tracking eating behaviors. Unlike current manual recording methods, smart glasses can capture detailed information about eating activities, which could help health professionals better understand and address eating disorders.
References:
- Design of the CHARGE study: A randomized control trial evaluating a novel treatment for Veterans with binge eating disorder and overweight and obesity
- New therapy outperforms standard treatment in reducing binge eating among veterans
- The Distressing Ads That Persist: Uncovering The Harms of Targeted Weight-Loss Ads Among Users with Histories of Disordered Eating
