Journal article
A Multi-Site Study of Brief Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders for Individuals With BMI ≥ 30
European eating disorders review
05 Apr 2026
PMID: 41937408
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Objective Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for eating disorders (EDs) has raised concerns of appropriateness for patients in higher-weight bodies. We evaluated acceptability (Sample 1-United States [USA]) and effectiveness (Sample 1-USA, Sample 2-United Kingdom [UK]) of CBT-T by body mass index [BMI] category. We hypothesised that individuals with BMI >= 30 kg/m(2) would be more likely to drop out and show smaller symptom reductions compared to participants with BMI < 30 kg/m(2). Methods Participants with non-underweight EDs (USA: n = 63; UK: n = 58) received CBT-T and completed the ED-15 to evaluate change in behaviours (objective binge eating, purging, restriction, excessive exercise) and cognitions (Eating Concern, Weight/Shape Concern, Global Score). Results Contrary to hypotheses, CBT-T completion did not differ by BMI category. Participants demonstrated large and significant reductions in binge eating, excessive exercise, and ED cognitions, with no significant differences by BMI (USA, UK). Although the BMI >= 30 kg/m(2) group demonstrated significantly smaller reductions in restriction and purging (UK only), smaller reductions in the higher-weight group were fully explained by their significantly lower pre-treatment symptoms. Discussion Results from this exploratory multisite study found no evidence that CBT-T was less acceptable or effective for participants in higher-weight bodies.
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Details
- Title
- A Multi-Site Study of Brief Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders for Individuals With BMI ≥ 30
- Creators
- Ashley Dunford (Corresponding Author) - Harvard UniversityP. Evelyna Kambanis - Harvard UniversityLilian P. Palmer - Harvard UniversityHaley Graver - Drexel University, Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology)Megan E. Liu - Massachusetts General HospitalJordan Hillard - Massachusetts General HospitalStefania Yee - Harvard UniversityHannah Turner - Massachusetts General HospitalLauren Breithaupt - Brigham and Women's HospitalEmma Evans - Isle of Wight NHS TrustEllen Blythe - Isle of Wight NHS TrustChloe White - Isle of Wight NHS TrustJade Broadley - Massachusetts General HospitalGlenn Waller - University of SheffieldKamryn T. Eddy - Harvard UniversityJennifer J. Thomas - Massachusetts Gen Hosp, Eating Disorders Clin & Res Program, Boston, MA 02114 USAKendra R. Becker - Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Publication Details
- European eating disorders review
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 12
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology)
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001733217200001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105034925373
- Other Identifier
- 991022176177304721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Psychiatry
- Psychology, Clinical