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.