About
Eating disorders (EDs) are severe psychopathological disturbances that primarily affect, but are not exclusively limited to, young women [1,2]. Obesity has become a widespread public health issue, affecting all demographic groups [3]. Furthermore, while obesity is not an eating disorder, many individuals who are overweight or obese experience symptoms similar to those found in eating disorders, especially those associated with binge eating and loss of control over eating.
Despite significant advancements in the treatment of eating disorders and obesity, there remains a considerable number of cases that are not adequately addressed. Although cognitive-behavioral therapy is the gold standard treatment for bulimia nervosa [5-6], there are still significant challenges and a considerable number of untreated patients.
Additionally, the number of patients with access to empirically supported treatments is limited [7], and a significant number drop out of treatment before completion [8]. These aspects suggest that we need to improve the long-term effectiveness of our treatments, enhance their acceptability, and have a greater number of effective treatments ready for dissemination. For eating disorders beyond anorexia and bulimia nervosa such as Binge Eating Disorder [9] and obesity [10], the outlook is even more discouraging.
One possible strategy to enhance treatment effectiveness for EDs is to increase our understanding of the underlying psychopathological and individual mechanisms that trigger and maintain disorder symptoms [11]. Examples of these mechanisms include negative emotional states [12], impulsivity [13], cognitive control [14], and disordered eating behaviors [15]. Subsequently, we need treatments that incorporate strategies to directly address these individual processes. Finally, we need to ensure that the best possible treatments become available in a economically efficient manner.
In summary, the challenges in the field of eating disorders and obesity are: 1) understanding the mechanisms underlying disordered eating behavior; 2) testing new treatment strategies developed to address these mechanisms; and 3) disseminating the best available treatments.
The present project aims to address these gaps by identifying: 1) how individual variables such as impulsivity and difficulties in emotional regulation impact the ability to control the quantity of food ingested and the ability to accurately identify hunger and satiety cues; 2) how current effective treatments may interact with individual variables and impact treatment outcomes; and 3) whether we are providing the best possible treatment to those who need it.
