Healthy Eating and Self‑Esteem App for College Students with Binge Eating
Official title: Building Healthy Eating and Self-Esteem Together for University Students (BEST-U): A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of an mHealth Intervention for Binge-Spectrum Disorders
Funded at University of Kansas Lawrence · NIH-11248365 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A guided cognitive‑behavioral mobile program for college students with binge eating that aims to reduce binge episodes and improve body image and wellbeing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Lawrence NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lawrence, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $236,290 |
| NIH project number | 5R34MH134930-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11248365 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are enrolled university students experiencing recurrent binge eating or other binge‑spectrum symptoms who can use a smartphone and consent to participate.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals with medically unstable eating disorders, active suicidal intent, or who require immediate inpatient or specialized in‑person care may not benefit from this app alone.
What this research studies
You would use the BEST‑U mobile app to work through guided self‑help cognitive‑behavioral modules designed for university students with binge‑spectrum eating problems. Participants are randomly assigned to receive the app plus support from trained non‑specialist providers and complete short modules targeting dietary restraint and weight/shape concerns. The study tracks changes in binge‑eating frequency, impairment, and overall wellbeing, along with user engagement and acceptability. This pilot tests whether a brief, scalable app can reach students who face barriers to traditional in‑person care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this app could expand access to effective treatment on campus, lowering binge episodes and improving students' mental health and academic functioning.
How similar studies have gone: Guided self‑help CBT has shown benefit for binge eating and prior pilot data for BEST‑U reported promising reductions in binge episodes, though larger mHealth trials are still limited.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Lawrence
Lawrence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Forbush, Kelsie Terese — University of Kansas Lawrence
- Study coordinator: Forbush, Kelsie Terese
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.