Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Weight-related Bullying (Online Treatment)

Youth with obesity are more likely to be bullied than healthy-weight peers and weight-related bullying is the most common form of bullying. Treating bullying during childhood could reduce immediate and long-term health consequences, but there are no established individual-level treatments for weight-related bullying despite recommendations that they could improve children's health. This study will develop and test a new treatment for adolescents (11-17 years old) who have experienced bullying due to weight. The treatment will address traumatic stress and potentially co-occurring or developing problems with unhealthy weight-control behaviors, disordered eating, and weight. The treatment will be conducted via audio/video telehealth to increase accessibility and is therefore available to anyone in the United States who meets eligibility criteria.

Inclusion criteria

To be included, adolescents must:

• Be in the age range ≥11 years old and ≤17 years old;
• Report experiencing weight-related bullying
• Report current distress about weight-related bullying
• Be otherwise-healthy youth (i.e., no uncontrolled or serious medical conditions);
• Read, comprehend, and write English at a sufficient level to complete study-related materials;
• Located in the United States and available for participation in the study for 3 months.

Exclusion criteria

Prospective participants will be excluded if the adolescent:

• Has a medical or psychiatric condition that would require hospitalization or intensive care (e.g., severe anorexia, neurological disorder, psychotic disorders, suicidality);
• Has uncontrolled medical condition(s) (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension);
• Is pregnant or breastfeeding;
• Is taking medication(s) or participating in treatment(s) that could influence weight or appetite;
• Is engaged in concurrent treatments that focus on trauma-related stress;
• Began taking hormonal contraceptives less than 3 months prior;
• Has a developmental or cognitive disorder (e.g., autism spectrum disorder);
• Has avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder; or
• Is participating in another clinical research study.