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Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 65

Healthy Eating and Self-Esteem Program for University Students

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

Run by University of Kansas · NCT07060534 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This trial will test a smartphone-based guided self-help CBT program to help University of Kansas students with bulimia or binge-eating reduce disordered eating and improve self-esteem.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
Enrollment74 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Kansas
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Lawrence, Kansas)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJune 23, 2026
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2027
Study endsDecember 31, 2027
Registry record updatedJanuary 14, 2026
Trial IDNCT07060534 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are University of Kansas students aged 18 or older with bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, or sub-threshold BN/BED who have a smartphone, are fluent in English, and are medically and psychiatrically stable (including stable psychotropic medication dosing).

Probably not a fit

Patients with anorexia nervosa, current moderate-to-severe suicidal intent, active substance-use disorder, psychosis, significant medical instability (e.g., electrolyte disturbance, acute complications of malnutrition), or contraindicated medical conditions/medications are unlikely to benefit and are excluded.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional trial compares an mHealth guided self-help Cognitive Behavioral Therapy program tailored for university students with present-centered therapy. Participants are KU-enrolled students aged 18 or older with bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, or subthreshold forms who have a smartphone and can read English. The app includes core CBT components such as food and symptom monitoring and re-establishment of regular eating patterns, with support delivered by non-specialist providers to improve scalability. Outcomes include changes in eating-disorder symptoms, engagement with the app, and feasibility of campus-based delivery.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could expand access to evidence-based CBT for students on campus, reducing binge-eating and purging behaviors and improving academic and mental health outcomes.

How similar studies have gone: Previous digital guided self-help CBT programs for binge-eating and bulimic symptoms have shown modest symptom reductions and improved access, though engagement and retention have been variable.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 18 years.
* Student enrolled at KU.
* Bulimia nervosa (BN) or binge-eating disorder (BED) (or sub-threshold BN or BED).
* Access to a smartphone.
* No uncorrected vision problems that would interfere with ability to participate in the study.
* Students taking psychotropic medications must be on a stable therapeutic dose for four weeks prior to study enrollment.
* Able to read and speak fluent English.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Presence of current moderate/severe suicidal ideation with active intent.
* Significant psychopathology that could interfere with treatment (e.g., current substance-use disorder or psychosis).
* Medical conditions or medications that could interfere with treatment (e.g., Type 1 diabetes mellitus, cancer, current pregnancy or nursing, taking corticosteroids, etc.).
* Lab abnormalities indicating medical instability (e.g., low heart rate, electrolyte disturbance, acute medical complications of malnutrition) or another medical problem that would prevent outpatient care as determined through physical health assessment by the student's local clinician.
* Already receiving therapy for an ED.
* Positive screen for anorexia nervosa (AN), atypical AN (AAN), and/or low body weight (i.e., BMI \< 19.5) or avoidant and restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).

Where it's running

  • University of Kansas, Wakarusa Research Facility
    Lawrence, Kansas, United States     Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Kelsie Forbush, PhD — University of Kansas
  • Study coordinator: Kelsie Forbush, PhD
  • Email: kforbush@ku.edu
  • Phone: 785-864-6525

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.