Brief Binge Eating and Drinking Online Intervention

Despite the prevalence of binge drinking and binge eating behaviors among college students, few students seek care for either. Intervening with college students early is essential as untreated symptoms of binge drinking and binge eating behaviors can become more severe and persistent over time, often leading to diagnosed disorders and lasting consequences on students' social functioning, physical health, and educational attainment. Thus, the major goal of this research study is to target both binge drinking and binge eating behavior in college students through a mobile-based online program that provides students with evidence-based intervention material designed to reduce the incidence of both behaviors, as well as encourage students to seek more formal in-person counseling. The intervention combines two innovations to facilitate behavior change: (1) personalized drinking and binge eating intervention content with harm reduction and cognitive behavioral skills proven to be efficacious in reducing these problematic behaviors among college students delivered via (2) a mobile-based program that increases accessibility, is easy and engaging to use, and broadens the accessibility of the intervention content to an often non-treatment seeking group. The intervention is informed by evidence-based practices, with student and expert feedback, to help limit alcohol consumption, engage in healthier eating behaviors, and practice alternate strategies to manage negative affect.

Inclusion criteria

• full time undergraduate student at the study site
• between the ages of 18 and 24
• ability to speak and read English
• at least two occasions of binge drinking (5 or more drinks in a row for males, 4 (i.e., an objectively large amount of food with a self-reported loss of control) in the past 28 days
• at least two occasions of binge eating (i.e., an objectively large amount of food with a self-reported loss of control)151 in the past 28 days
• no receipt of mental health or substance use care in the past month.

Exclusion criteria

• not meeting eligibility criteria