With our NIH Phase I award, HabitAware aims to address binge eating disorder (BED) through cutting-edge wearable technology designed to detect the physical manifestations of binge eating episodes in real time. Our goal is to help individuals manage their behaviors and provide timely interventions.
Binge eating disorder is a serious mental health issue that affects millions of people globally, characterized by repeated episodes of consuming large quantities of food in a short period of time. Our research seeks to identify subtle wrist movements linked to binge eating episodes. By applying the same core technology used in our BFRB detection tools (link), HabitAware is developing a device capable of detecting BED episodes and alerting users to interrupt these patterns.
The NIH Phase I award is helping us create a foundation for understanding how motion data can be used to monitor and intervene in binge eating behavior. Our wearable devices are designed to empower individuals to take control of their eating habits by offering real-time feedback and support.
The research is leading to the development of a specialized detection algorithm tailored to BED. Our work has the potential to transform how individuals monitor their binge eating episodes, providing a crucial tool for managing this often-untreated disorder. This project underscores our commitment to extending our behavior recognition technology beyond BFRBs into other areas of mental health.