Virginia Via Research Day Book 2026

Medical Student Research Clinical

24

COMPARING OPEN AND BLIND WEIGHING IN ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH EATING DISORDERS

Elijah Akinade, MPH; Jamal Essayli, PhD; Ava Pasewicz, BA; Ashlye Borden, EdM; Jennifer Shook, MD; Cheri Levinson, PhD; Susan Lane-Loney, PhD

VCOM-Virginia, Blacksburg, Virginia; Penn State College of Medicine; University at Buffalo; University of Louisville

Determining whether adolescents and young adults with eating disorders should view their weight during treatment remains an active clinical question. This study evaluates the effects of Open Weighing compared with Blind Weighing and examines whether patients weighing preferences shape treatment response. Forty six participants who were 91.3% female, ages 13 to 24 years, with a mean age of 17.2 years were diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (65.2%), bulimia nervosa (8.7%), or other specified feeding or eating disorder (26.1%). Participants indicated their weighing preference and were then randomized to weekly Open Weighing (n=24) or Blind Weighing (n=22) within a partial hospitalization program. Each week they completed ratings from 0 to 100 assessing anxiety about weight gain, beliefs about weight gain, and confidence tolerating weight changes. Analyses controlled for baseline Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire scores. Discharge scores did

not differ between Open Weighing and Blind Weighing (F=0.04, p=.844). A significant condition by Preference interaction was observed (F=6.97, p=.009), showing that individuals who preferred Open Weighing and received Open Weighing demonstrated greater improvement than those assigned to Open Weighing but preferring Blind Weighing. Preference did not influence outcomes within the Blind Weighing condition. Participants in Open Weighing demonstrated a stronger decline in beliefs related to weight gain compared with those in Blind Weighing (F=6.54, p=.011). No group differences were found for anxiety levels (F=0.50, p=.482) or confidence tolerating weight gain (F=0.70, p=.407). These findings suggest that although both weighing approaches support clinical improvement, aligning the weighing method with patient preference, particularly for those who prefer Open Weighing, may enhance treatment response and accelerate reductions in beliefs related to

weight gain. Continued data collection will help refine recommendations for personalized weighing practices in intensive eating disorder treatment.

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