Examining Weight Suppression, Leptin Levels, Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Response, and Reward-Related Constructs in Severity and Maintenance of Bulimic Syndromes: Protocol and Sample Characteristics for a Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study

BackgroundBulimia nervosa and related syndromes (BN-S) characterized by binge eating vary considerably in illness severity and course. Using the Research Domain Criteria framework of the National Institute of Mental Health, we developed a model positing that the same set of p...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Pamela K Keel, Lindsay P Bodell, Sarrah I Ali, Austin Starkey, Jenna Trotta, J Woody Luxama, Chloé Halfhide, Naomi G Hill, Jonathan Appelbaum, Diana L Williams
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JMIR Publications 2025-04-01
Series:JMIR Research Protocols
Online Access:https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e66554
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850151986338463744
author Pamela K Keel
Lindsay P Bodell
Sarrah I Ali
Austin Starkey
Jenna Trotta
J Woody Luxama
Chloé Halfhide
Naomi G Hill
Jonathan Appelbaum
Diana L Williams
author_facet Pamela K Keel
Lindsay P Bodell
Sarrah I Ali
Austin Starkey
Jenna Trotta
J Woody Luxama
Chloé Halfhide
Naomi G Hill
Jonathan Appelbaum
Diana L Williams
author_sort Pamela K Keel
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundBulimia nervosa and related syndromes (BN-S) characterized by binge eating vary considerably in illness severity and course. Using the Research Domain Criteria framework of the National Institute of Mental Health, we developed a model positing that the same set of physiological consequences of weight suppression (WS; defined as the difference between the highest and current adult body weight) contribute to binge-eating severity and maintenance by (1) increasing the drive or motivation to consume food (reward valuation effort [RVE]) and (2) decreasing the ability for food consumption to lead to a state of satiation or satisfaction (reward satiation). ObjectiveOur funded project aimed to test concurrent associations among WS, physiological factors (leptin concentrations and postprandial glucagon-like peptide 1 [GLP-1] response), behavioral indicators of RVE (breakpoint on progressive ratio tasks) and reward satiation (ad-lib test meal intake), self-report of these core constructs, and binge-eating severity in BN-S (aim 1); test prospective associations to determine whether WS predicts BN-S maintenance in longitudinal models and whether posited mediators also predict BN-S maintenance (aim 2); and determine whether associations between WS and BN-S severity and maintenance are mediated by alterations in leptin levels, GLP-1 response, RVE, and reward satiation (aim 3). MethodsWe aimed to recruit a sample of 320 women with BN-S or noneating disorder controls, with BMI from 16 kg/m2 to 35 kg/m2, for our study. The study included diagnostic interviews; questionnaires; height, weight, and percentage of body fat measurements; weight history; fasting leptin level; postprandial GLP-1 and insulin responses to a fixed meal; and ad-lib meal and progressive ratio tasks to behaviorally measure reward satiation and RVE, respectively, at baseline, with at least 78.1% (250/320) of the participants providing data at 6- and 12-month follow-up visits. Data will be analyzed using structural equation models to test posited pathways. ResultsData collection began in November 2016 and ended in April 2023, pausing in-person data collection from March 2020 to February 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of 399 eligible women enrolled, 290 (72.7%) provided clinical, behavioral, and biological data at baseline, and 249 (62.4%) provided follow-up data. Measures demonstrated strong psychometric properties. ConclusionsWe seek to identify biobehavioral predictors to inform treatments that target key factors influencing the severity and course of binge eating. These data, supported solely through federal funding, can inform questions emerging from recent interest and controversy surrounding the use of GLP-1 agonists for binge eating. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR1-10.2196/66554
format Article
id doaj-art-6c312bbdf8a64735b4d7bb323abdb409
institution OA Journals
issn 1929-0748
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher JMIR Publications
record_format Article
series JMIR Research Protocols
spelling doaj-art-6c312bbdf8a64735b4d7bb323abdb4092025-08-20T02:26:06ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Research Protocols1929-07482025-04-0114e6655410.2196/66554Examining Weight Suppression, Leptin Levels, Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Response, and Reward-Related Constructs in Severity and Maintenance of Bulimic Syndromes: Protocol and Sample Characteristics for a Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal StudyPamela K Keelhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6542-5147Lindsay P Bodellhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-8346-7762Sarrah I Alihttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-1459-7472Austin Starkeyhttps://orcid.org/0009-0001-6440-6363Jenna Trottahttps://orcid.org/0009-0001-7956-1841J Woody Luxamahttps://orcid.org/0009-0001-4166-1716Chloé Halfhidehttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-1226-3310Naomi G Hillhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-6955-1746Jonathan Appelbaumhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-4604-7491Diana L Williamshttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3548-7440 BackgroundBulimia nervosa and related syndromes (BN-S) characterized by binge eating vary considerably in illness severity and course. Using the Research Domain Criteria framework of the National Institute of Mental Health, we developed a model positing that the same set of physiological consequences of weight suppression (WS; defined as the difference between the highest and current adult body weight) contribute to binge-eating severity and maintenance by (1) increasing the drive or motivation to consume food (reward valuation effort [RVE]) and (2) decreasing the ability for food consumption to lead to a state of satiation or satisfaction (reward satiation). ObjectiveOur funded project aimed to test concurrent associations among WS, physiological factors (leptin concentrations and postprandial glucagon-like peptide 1 [GLP-1] response), behavioral indicators of RVE (breakpoint on progressive ratio tasks) and reward satiation (ad-lib test meal intake), self-report of these core constructs, and binge-eating severity in BN-S (aim 1); test prospective associations to determine whether WS predicts BN-S maintenance in longitudinal models and whether posited mediators also predict BN-S maintenance (aim 2); and determine whether associations between WS and BN-S severity and maintenance are mediated by alterations in leptin levels, GLP-1 response, RVE, and reward satiation (aim 3). MethodsWe aimed to recruit a sample of 320 women with BN-S or noneating disorder controls, with BMI from 16 kg/m2 to 35 kg/m2, for our study. The study included diagnostic interviews; questionnaires; height, weight, and percentage of body fat measurements; weight history; fasting leptin level; postprandial GLP-1 and insulin responses to a fixed meal; and ad-lib meal and progressive ratio tasks to behaviorally measure reward satiation and RVE, respectively, at baseline, with at least 78.1% (250/320) of the participants providing data at 6- and 12-month follow-up visits. Data will be analyzed using structural equation models to test posited pathways. ResultsData collection began in November 2016 and ended in April 2023, pausing in-person data collection from March 2020 to February 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of 399 eligible women enrolled, 290 (72.7%) provided clinical, behavioral, and biological data at baseline, and 249 (62.4%) provided follow-up data. Measures demonstrated strong psychometric properties. ConclusionsWe seek to identify biobehavioral predictors to inform treatments that target key factors influencing the severity and course of binge eating. These data, supported solely through federal funding, can inform questions emerging from recent interest and controversy surrounding the use of GLP-1 agonists for binge eating. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR1-10.2196/66554https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e66554
spellingShingle Pamela K Keel
Lindsay P Bodell
Sarrah I Ali
Austin Starkey
Jenna Trotta
J Woody Luxama
Chloé Halfhide
Naomi G Hill
Jonathan Appelbaum
Diana L Williams
Examining Weight Suppression, Leptin Levels, Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Response, and Reward-Related Constructs in Severity and Maintenance of Bulimic Syndromes: Protocol and Sample Characteristics for a Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study
JMIR Research Protocols
title Examining Weight Suppression, Leptin Levels, Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Response, and Reward-Related Constructs in Severity and Maintenance of Bulimic Syndromes: Protocol and Sample Characteristics for a Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study
title_full Examining Weight Suppression, Leptin Levels, Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Response, and Reward-Related Constructs in Severity and Maintenance of Bulimic Syndromes: Protocol and Sample Characteristics for a Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study
title_fullStr Examining Weight Suppression, Leptin Levels, Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Response, and Reward-Related Constructs in Severity and Maintenance of Bulimic Syndromes: Protocol and Sample Characteristics for a Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study
title_full_unstemmed Examining Weight Suppression, Leptin Levels, Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Response, and Reward-Related Constructs in Severity and Maintenance of Bulimic Syndromes: Protocol and Sample Characteristics for a Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study
title_short Examining Weight Suppression, Leptin Levels, Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Response, and Reward-Related Constructs in Severity and Maintenance of Bulimic Syndromes: Protocol and Sample Characteristics for a Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study
title_sort examining weight suppression leptin levels glucagon like peptide 1 response and reward related constructs in severity and maintenance of bulimic syndromes protocol and sample characteristics for a cross sectional and longitudinal study
url https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e66554
work_keys_str_mv AT pamelakkeel examiningweightsuppressionleptinlevelsglucagonlikepeptide1responseandrewardrelatedconstructsinseverityandmaintenanceofbulimicsyndromesprotocolandsamplecharacteristicsforacrosssectionalandlongitudinalstudy
AT lindsaypbodell examiningweightsuppressionleptinlevelsglucagonlikepeptide1responseandrewardrelatedconstructsinseverityandmaintenanceofbulimicsyndromesprotocolandsamplecharacteristicsforacrosssectionalandlongitudinalstudy
AT sarrahiali examiningweightsuppressionleptinlevelsglucagonlikepeptide1responseandrewardrelatedconstructsinseverityandmaintenanceofbulimicsyndromesprotocolandsamplecharacteristicsforacrosssectionalandlongitudinalstudy
AT austinstarkey examiningweightsuppressionleptinlevelsglucagonlikepeptide1responseandrewardrelatedconstructsinseverityandmaintenanceofbulimicsyndromesprotocolandsamplecharacteristicsforacrosssectionalandlongitudinalstudy
AT jennatrotta examiningweightsuppressionleptinlevelsglucagonlikepeptide1responseandrewardrelatedconstructsinseverityandmaintenanceofbulimicsyndromesprotocolandsamplecharacteristicsforacrosssectionalandlongitudinalstudy
AT jwoodyluxama examiningweightsuppressionleptinlevelsglucagonlikepeptide1responseandrewardrelatedconstructsinseverityandmaintenanceofbulimicsyndromesprotocolandsamplecharacteristicsforacrosssectionalandlongitudinalstudy
AT chloehalfhide examiningweightsuppressionleptinlevelsglucagonlikepeptide1responseandrewardrelatedconstructsinseverityandmaintenanceofbulimicsyndromesprotocolandsamplecharacteristicsforacrosssectionalandlongitudinalstudy
AT naomighill examiningweightsuppressionleptinlevelsglucagonlikepeptide1responseandrewardrelatedconstructsinseverityandmaintenanceofbulimicsyndromesprotocolandsamplecharacteristicsforacrosssectionalandlongitudinalstudy
AT jonathanappelbaum examiningweightsuppressionleptinlevelsglucagonlikepeptide1responseandrewardrelatedconstructsinseverityandmaintenanceofbulimicsyndromesprotocolandsamplecharacteristicsforacrosssectionalandlongitudinalstudy
AT dianalwilliams examiningweightsuppressionleptinlevelsglucagonlikepeptide1responseandrewardrelatedconstructsinseverityandmaintenanceofbulimicsyndromesprotocolandsamplecharacteristicsforacrosssectionalandlongitudinalstudy