Clinical Trial Aims to Curb Binge Eating

Binge eating can lead to depression or diabetes according to researchers

A new clinical trial set to launch in San Diego will try to treat binge eating.

Of 190 million obese Americans, approximately 10-15 percent engage in harmful binge eating according to UC San Diego Health System.

Binge eating is where someone eats a lot of high-caloric foods all in one sitting, often in response to what they’re doing or how they’re feeling.

In the new trial called Regulation of Food Cues, researchers hope to help participants manage the impulse to eat.

“With this study we use a variety of techniques to train the brain to identify and respond to hunger and cravings and to learn resistance to highly craved foods,” said Kerri Boutelle, PhD, principal investigator and associate professor in the department of psychiatry at UC San Diego School of Medicine.

Thirty people will undergo 60–90 minute sessions every week for 12 weeks and learn about cravings like why they want to eat something salty while watching television or feel the need for something sweet in the afternoon.

“The goal is to reduce cravings to overeat by up to 50 percent,” Boutelle said.

To learn more about this clinical trial, please call 858-405-0263.

Stay connected to health news by signing up for our daily newsletter

Contact Us