Binge Eating and Chromium Study

Binge eating (i.e., the consumption of unusually large amounts of food with a sense of loss of control) is a common problem with serious public health implications in large part due to its role in obesity. Binge eating leads to weight gain and is common in overweight individuals. Current treatments for binge eating disorder (BED) are inadequate, and previous randomized treatment trials have suffered from high drop out rate due to the adverse effects of pharmacological agents. Chromium picolinate is a dietary supplement that has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and appetite regulation problems in patients with atypical depression; chromium picolinate also affects insulin regulation and has been shown to improve glucose levels in patients with type-2 diabetes. This pilot study will evaluate the effect of chromium picolinate on binge eating, mood, body weight, and glucose regulation in overweight individuals with BED.

Inclusion criteria

• Currently meets DSM-IV criteria for binge eating disorder (BED);
• Is able to provide informed consent and meet study visit requirements; and
• Is psychiatrically stable (e.g., no current suicidal or homicidal intent or other psychiatric condition that requires acute intervention).

Exclusion criteria

• Body mass index (BMI) < 24.9 kg/m^2 (underweight or normal weight) or ≥ 40 kg/m^2 (severely obese);
• Postmenopausal;
• Age < 18 or > 55 years;
• Pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant during the study period, or lactating;
• Current psychotropic medication use;
• Current use of insulin or other medications to control glucose metabolism;
• Current use of medications known to significantly influence appetite or weight [i.e., over-the-counter appetite suppressants that contain phentermine or sibutramine, atypical antipsychotic agents with high weight gain liability (such as olanzapine, risperidone, etc), prednisone, etc.];
• Fasting glucose level > 126 mg/dL (indicative of diabetes); and
• Creatinine level indicating renal insufficiency (> 1.0 for women; > 1.2 for men).