Mobile app intervention for binge eating in adolescents

Open Trial of a Technology-Based Intervention for Dysregulated Eating in Adolescents With or At Risk for Overweight or Obesity

NA · University of Pittsburgh · NCT06819813

This study is testing a mobile app to see if it can help teenagers with binge eating and weight issues learn to manage their eating better over 16 weeks.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages13 Years to 19 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Pittsburgh (other)
Locations2 sites (Chicago, Illinois and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06819813 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This project aims to pilot test a mobile app designed to help adolescents with dysregulated eating behaviors and elevated weight status. Participants will engage with the app over a 16-week period, incorporating cognitive-behavioral strategies to improve self-regulation of eating. The study includes virtual assessments, feedback on app usability, and continuous monitoring of eating behaviors through wearable technology. Adolescents will also receive coaching and complete various assessments throughout the intervention.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents with a BMI at or above the 75th percentile and experiencing episodes of loss of control eating or overeating.

Not a fit: Patients who have significant compensatory behaviors or other medical/psychiatric conditions affecting eating or weight may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could provide adolescents with effective tools to manage binge eating and improve their overall health.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using mobile interventions for eating disorders, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* BMI≥75th percentile for their age and sex
* Report recent loss of control eating and/or overeating (≥3 episodes of either type of eating behavior in the past 3 months)
* Have an email address, Smartphone, and regular access to the internet
* Be willing and able to measure their height and weight prior to study enrollment

Exclusion Criteria:

* Report more than 2 instances of compensatory behavior (e.g. diuretics, laxatives, vomiting, driven exercise) in the past 3 months
* Not fluent in English at a third-grade reading level or higher
* Currently taking medications known to affect weight or appetite or concurrently involved in treatment for eating or weight disorders
* Meet criteria for a medical or psychiatric condition (e.g., diabetes, bulimia nervosa) known to significantly affect eating or weight, aside from binge eating disorder
* Developmental or cognitive delay precluding participation in the intervention
* Currently pregnant or lactating

Where this trial is running

Chicago, Illinois and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Obesity, Binge-Eating Disorder, Binge Eating, Mobile Intervention, Adolescent

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.