Authors: Crépin, C.; Carrard, I.; Golay, A.; Van der Linden, M.; Ceschi, G. & Lam, T.
Centre:  Service of Therapeutic Education for Chronic Diseases, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.

Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder (ED) in general population (about 3/5%). It is a frequent and regular intake of an objectively large amount of food with an associated sense of loss of control over eating. We have developed a specific on-line support treatment program (the Step program), based on a cognitive and behavioural therapy (CBT) approach, which will lead patients to treat their ED. It contains evaluation and treatment modules designed to help users progressively change their lifestyle and regain control of their eating behaviour.Impulsivity and dysfunctional cognitive processes seem to play an important role in the development and maintenance of ED. Few studies have focused on the link between impulsivity and BED. Also impulsivity, as a factor which can predict a good or poor response to treatment, has rarely been explored. Recently, one study has shown that attentional biases and bulimic symptoms were both improved after a CBT. The present study seeks to determine the potential influence of impulsivity and cognitive biases on the outcome of BED treatment.The main goal of this study is to analyze which factors might be predictors of a response to treatment. Impulsivity components and cognitive biases could be key concepts in outcome and drop-out process.This study aims to include 160 subjects. Participants will follow a 6-month self-treatment program on the Internet. Half of them will have access immediately and half will wait 6 months before having access to the Step. Evaluations will consist on questionnaires (about eating behavior, impulsivity and general psychopathology) and neuropsychological tasks (linked to impulsivity and attentional biases).