A new study by researchers from the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) and the University of Newcastle will investigate treatments to assist individuals with addictive eating behaviours.
The project is known as “TRACE – a personality-based eating awareness program”.
Addictive overeating is a growing area of research.
This study will look to trial two different interventions for people experiencing difficulties with what they eat.
Participants will be split into three groups and receive different interventions over six months.
To be eligible for the trial, people must be adults who exhibit symptoms of addictive eating behaviours such as eating more than planned, having strong cravings towards certain foods or repeated unsuccessful attempts to change behaviour.
Participants must also be currently living in Australia and with access to the internet.
A full list of eligibility criteria is available on the study website.
The first group will receive five online telehealth sessions with a dietitian to assist participants with improving addictive eating behaviours.
They’ll also have access to a self-guided workbook, admission to the study website and the opportunity to participate in an online support group.
The dietitian will address dietary intake and help set nutrition and health goals based on aspects of personality.
The second batch in the study will have access to a self-guided workbook and the study website, as well as the chance to take part in an online support group.
The third group will act as a control and maintain their normal eating habits for six months.
At the end of the period, they will be given access to all the same materials as the second intakes.
Project leader Professor Tracy Burrows said the study was an exciting opportunity for people, wanting to improve their relationship with food, to participate in research and potentially help improve their health and wellbeing.
“The area of food addiction is increasingly being understood and this study provides a new approach when compared to other more traditional approaches to behaviour change,” she explained.
“We know from experience there are many people in the community who feel like they have an addiction to food or addictive overeating behaviours.
“In this study we hope to see whether people who feel they have addictive behaviours with food will respond to different treatments and how they compare to people without those addictive behaviours.”
For more information on taking part in the trial, contact Professor Tracy Burrows on 4921 5514 or [email protected] or visit https://redcap.hmri.org.au/surveys/?s=NJ84XALDH8RPX87L
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