Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most prevalent eating disorder among Latinas. Furthermore, Latinas report more frequent binge eating and higher levels of associated mental health symptoms as compared with non-Latino White women. Research demonstrates that Latinas' eating problems largely go undetected and untreated and that they face numerous barriers to seeking professional help. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)-based guided self-help (CBTgsh) for binge eating is a more affordable and disseminable intervention than traditional CBT treatment. In this paper, we present the findings from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a culturally adapted CBTgsh program in a sample of overweight and obese Latinas with BED, the first RCT of this type with an ethnic minority population. Study participants (N = 40) diagnosed with BED were randomly assigned to the CBTgsh (n = 21) or waitlist (n = 19) condition. Treatment with the CBTgsh program resulted in significant reductions in frequency of binge eating, depression, and psychological distress and 47.6% of the intention-to-treat CBTgsh group were abstinent from binge eating at follow-up. In contrast, no significant changes were found from pre- to 12-week follow-up assessments for the waitlisted group. Results indicate that CBTgsh can be effective in addressing the needs of Latinas who binge eat and can lead to improvements in symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

The prevalence of bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED) among Latinas is comparable to those of the general population; however, few interventions and treatment trial research have focused on this group. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the treatment of choice for binge eating related disorders. CBT-based guided self-help (CBTgsh)-a low-cost minimal intervention-has also been shown effective in improving binge eating related symptom, but the effectiveness of the CBTgsh among ethnic minority women is not well understood. Cultural adaptation of evidence-based treatments can be an important step for promoting treatment accessibility and engagement among underserved groups. This qualitative study was part of a larger investigation that examined the feasibility and efficacy of a culturally adapted CBTgsh program among Mexican American women with binge eating disorders. Posttreatment focus groups were conducted with 12 Mexican American women with BN or BED who participated in the intervention. Data were analyzed with the grounded theory methodology (Corbin & Strauss, 2008). Three themes emerged from the data: (a) eating behavior and body ideals are socially and culturally constructed, (b) multifaceted support system is crucial to Mexican American women's treatment engagement and success, and (c) the culturally adapted CBTgsh program is feasible and relevant to Mexican American women's experience, but it can be strengthened with increased family and peer involvement. The findings provide suggestions for further adaptation and refinement of the CBTgsh, and implications for future research as well as early intervention for disordered eating in organized care settings.

Objective was to test feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a culturally adapted cognitive-behavioral self-help program to treat binge eating and related problems in Mexican Americans. Participants were 31 women recruited from the Los Angeles area and diagnosed with binge eating disorder, recurrent binge eating, or bulimia nervosa. Participants completed a culturally adapted version of a CBT-based self-help program with 8 guidance sessions over a 3-month period. Treatment efficacy was evaluated in terms of binge eating, psychological functioning, and weight loss. Intent-to-treat analyses revealed 35.5% abstinence from binge eating at posttreatment and 38.7% diagnostic remission. Results indicated significant pretreatment to posttreatment improvement on distress level, BMI, eating disorder psychopathology, and self-esteem. Satisfaction with the program was high. Findings demonstrate that the program is acceptable, feasible, and efficacious in reducing binge eating and associated symptoms for Mexican American women. Study provides "proof of concept" for implementation of culturally adapted forms of evidence-based programs.

Asian Americans suffer from childhood obesity yet are a particularly understudied population. Objective was to examine the impact of ethnicity on child feeding practices believed to be associated with childhood obesity in a community sample of mothers and their children. Prior research with White samples indicates a positive relationship between parental overcontrol of child feeding and child adiposity. Participants were 425 mothers (66 Asian/Asian American, 218 Hispanic/Latino, 26 Black/African American, 115 White/Caucasian) with children between the ages of 2 and 11. Participants provided demographic and height and weight information, and completed the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ). Analyses focused on associations between ethnicity, parental feeding attitudes (factors of the CFQ) and child Body Mass Index (BMI). Results indicated significant ethnicity by CFQ factor interactions for 2 of the 6 CFQ factors examined (pressure to eat and restriction). Post hoc tests demonstrated that for these 2 CFQ factors, there was a significant association between child BMI and the CFQ factor score only within the Asian group; among Asians, for each of these 2 CFQ factors, children from families with above-median factor scores had significantly lower BMI (p .05). As predicted, for Asian Americans there was an inverse relationship between mothers’ control of feeding and child BMI. These findings suggest that lower levels of parental control over feeding may contribute to childhood obesity in Asian populations. The relationship between parental control over eating and child BMI found in middle-class White families does not generalize to populations with diverse ethnic or socioeconomic backgrounds.