A Pilot Study of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Preventing Excess Weight Gain in Adolescent Girls at-risk for Obesity

Objective: Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is effective at reducing binge episodes and inducing weight stabilization in obese adults with binge eating disorder. Method: We piloted the administration of IPT to girls at-risk for excess weight gain (BMI 75(th)-97(th) percentile; IPT-WG) with and without loss of control (LOC) eating. Thirty-eight girls (12-17 years) were randomized to IPT-WG or a standard-of-care health education group. Results: All 38 girls completed the programs and all follow-up visits through 6 months. Thirty-five of 38 returned for a complete assessment visit at 1 year. Among girls with baseline LOC (n = 20), those in IPT-WG experienced greater reductions in such episodes than girls in health education (p = .036). Regardless of LOC status, over 1 year girls in IPT-WG were less likely to increase their BMI as expected for their age and BMI percentile (p = .028). Discussion: IPT-WG is feasible and acceptable to adolescent girls at-risk for adult obesity and may prevent excess weight gain over 1 year. (C) 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.