Preventing Obesity in Military Communities, Adolescents

This research study is aimed at the prevention of excessive weight gain in female military dependents at high risk for adult obesity. The purpose of this study is to determine whether reducing Loss of Control (LOC) eating and associated indicators through use of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) will be feasible and acceptable to female adolescent dependents who report such behaviors. Moreover, patterns in the data will be examined to assess whether IPT influences body weight gain trajectories and prevent worsening disordered eating and metabolic functioning among female military dependents at heightened risk for unhealthy weight gain.

The increased prevalence of obesity among the children of military personnel has paralleled that observed in the civilian population. Disordered eating, especially binge or loss of control (LOC) eating, is common among adolescents and is a salient risk factor for obesity and the development of exacerbated disordered eating and depressive symptoms. The goal of this study is to test the effectiveness of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) to slow the trajectory of weight gain in adolescent girls at high-risk for adult obesity by virtue of elevated body mass index (BMI) percentile and LOC eating. IPT targets the difficult social functioning and stressful events that are associated with LOC and highly relevant to the adolescent youth from military families. Adolescent military dependents will be randomized to receive either the IPT weight gain prevention program or a health education (HE) control condition, for 12 weekly group sessions. Adolescents' weight status, eating behaviors, and mood will be assessed at baseline, immediately following the prevention program (12-weeks), and at 1-year follow-up. At 2-year and 3-year follow-up time points, participants' BMI and physiologic data will be collected via the Military Health System's electronic medical record system. It is hypothesized that adolescents who receive the IPT group program will show significantly less weight gain (or more weight loss) relative to those randomized to HE at 3-year follow-up. Additionally, it is hypothesized that adolescents receiving IPT (as compared to HE) will demonstrate improvements on secondary outcomes of interest, including the presence and frequency of classic binge eating episodes, as well as obesity-related physiological measures of health (e.g., fasting insulin). The overall goal of the study is to prevent excess weight gain and adult obesity, and to prevent worsening disordered eating and metabolic functioning among overweight military dependents at risk for adult obesity and binge eating disorders.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Female
* Age between 12 and 17 years (at the start of the study)
* English-speaking
* Ability to complete study procedures, including ability to participate in a group
* Endorsement of at least one LOC criteria, as assessed by Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) semi structured interview

Exclusion Criteria:

* Presence of a chronic major medical illness: : renal, hepatic, gastrointestinal, endocrinologic (e.g., Cushing syndrome, hyper- or hypothyroidism), hematological problems or pulmonary disorders (other than asthma not requiring continuous medication). Non-serious medical illnesses, such as seasonal allergies, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
* Presence of a documented, obesity-related medical complication that would require a more aggressive weight loss intervention approach: type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, fasting hyperglycemia, or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
* Documented or self-reported current pregnancy, current breast-feeding, or recently pregnant girls (within 1 year of delivery). Because pregnancy is a state in which weight gain is expected and appropriate, pregnant individuals would not be suitable for this study. Sexually active females must be using an effective form of birth control. These methods include total abstinence (no sex), oral contraceptives ("the pill"), an intrauterine device (IUD), levonogestrol implants (Norplant), or medroxyprogesterone acetate injections (Depo-provera shots). If one of these cannot be used, contraceptive foam with a condom is recommended. Should a participant in the IPT-WG group become pregnant during the \~12 weeks of the group program, she will be excluded from the group sessions. The study team will closely assist in obtaining an appropriate referral to a community mental healthcare provider, as indicated, and will request a release of information so that they may facilitate a smooth transition for the girl.
* Current, regular use of prescription medications that affect appetite, mood, or body weight: currently prescribed SSRI's, neuroleptics, tricyclics, stimulants, or any other medication known to affect appetite, mood, or body weight. Oral contraceptive use will be permitted, provided the contraceptive has been used for at least two months before starting the prevention groups. Medication use for non-serious conditions (e.g., acne) will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
* Current involvement in psychotherapy or a structured weight loss program.
* Weight loss during the past two months for any reason exceeding 3% of body weight.
* Current anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa as determined by documented medical history or if uncovered during K-SADS semi-structured interview. Current binge eating disorder will be permitted. Girls with anorexia or bulimia nervosa will be referred to mental health specialists for further evaluation and treatment. Individuals who need further behavioral health or medical services will be accommodated through their primary care medical home in accordance with normal clinical standard of care. This will be accomplished by direct communication with the patients' primary care physician.
* Individuals who have major depressive disorder, psychoses, current substance or alcohol abuse, conduct disorder, as determined by Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS) semi-structured interview and as defined by criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) or any other DSM-IV-TR psychiatric disorder that, in the opinion of the investigators, would impede competence or compliance or possibly hinder completion of the study.