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Applying Harm Reduction to Binge Eating Disorder: An Investigation of Protective Behavioral Strategies Against Uncontrolled Eating

Award Number: F31MH135713
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/22/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/20/2026

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Applying Harm Reduction to Binge Eating Disorder: An Investigation of Protective Behavioral Strategies Against Uncontrolled Eating - PROJECT SUMMARY/ ABSTRACT Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most diagnosed eating disorder, characterized by eating objectively large amounts of food one feels unable to refrain from or stop consuming (i.e., binge eating; BE). Recurrent BE must be present at least once a week on average over the past three months and co-occur with significant psychological distress. BED is notoriously difficult to treat, with some estimates concluding that more than one half of patients do not maintain remission from binge eating six months after treatment discontinuation. BE is often onset by momentary factors, such as a desire to reduce negative affect, or as a response to food cravings. Less understood is what differentiates individuals with BED and those without eating pathology when experiencing cravings or negative affect, and if there are strategies that prevent BE for the latter population. Increasingly, there has been a call for assessment of the efficacy of a harm reduction approach in addressing eating disorders. Harm reduction, primarily utilized in the substance use disorder field, is a framework in which lowering risk of use is promoted in those who are unable or unwilling to completely abstain from a harmful behavior. Experiences shared across substance use disorders and binge eating (e.g., cravings) may account for the high co-occurrence of BED and substance use, and salience of similar treatment targets and intervention strategies. Protective behavioral strategies (PBS) are actions one can take while engaging in a potentially harmful behavior to decrease risk of serious consequences. Characteristics of highly palatable foods (e.g., high sugar/ fat) and frequency at which they are consumed are associated with serious morbidity and mortality implications, and thus these foods are commonly recognized as risky to over-consume. The proposed study will utilize a PBS framework to assess how PBS may apply to reducing the frequency and intensity of BE and specifically, whether there are differences between healthy controls (HC) and individuals with BED regarding their momentary-level behavior that leads to differential eating outcomes. First, using an online screener to recruit from a national sample, an estimated 10-15 HC and 10-15 individuals with BE will engage in interviews to qualitatively assess presence of BE and eating-related PBS (Aim 1). Next, a measure of eating-related PBS will be developed from qualitative responses and cognitive interviews will be used to refine and ascertain comprehension of the developed measure. The measure will then be validated among 500 with BE and 500 HC in an online survey (Aim 2). Finally, 25 HC and 25 individuals with BED will participate in an ecological momentary assessment study where they report daily-level PBS to assess for group differences in PBS use in response to real-life BE precedents (Aim 3). The proposed study will implement a mixed methods approach utilizing technology for real-time assessment to investigate PBS against BE. Findings will inform potential efficacy of PBS for eating behavior in line with a harm reduction approach and may bolster existing BED interventions.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $19,452 )
2026	2026	THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA BOARD OF TRUSTEES	4000 CENTRAL FLORIDA BLVD	ORLANDO	FL	32816	ORANGE	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	3	5/12/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$19,452
														Subtotal = $19,452

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $38,328 )
2025	2025	THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA BOARD OF TRUSTEES	4000 CENTRAL FLORIDA BLVD	ORLANDO	FL	32816	ORANGE	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	2	7/22/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$38,328
														Subtotal = $38,328

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $37,764 )
2024	2024	THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA BOARD OF TRUSTEES	4000 CENTRAL FLORIDA BLVD	ORLANDO	FL	32816	ORANGE	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	001	1	5/22/2024	NEW	$0
2024	2024	THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA BOARD OF TRUSTEES	4000 CENTRAL FLORIDA BLVD	ORLANDO	FL	32816	ORANGE	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	5/22/2024	NEW	$37,764
														Subtotal = $37,764

Grand Total All Awards = $95,544

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Applying Harm Reduction to Binge Eating Disorder: An Investigation of Protective Behavioral Strategies Against Uncontrolled Eating

Award Number: F31MH135713

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/22/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/20/2026

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