The Binge Eating Genetics Initiative (BEGIN): study protocol

Background The Binge Eating Genetics Initiative (BEGIN) is a multipronged investigation examining the interplay of genomic, gut microbiota, and behavioral factors in bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. Methods 1000 individuals who meet current diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder are being recruited to collect saliva samples for genotyping, fecal sampling for microbiota characterization, and recording of 30 days of passive data and behavioral phenotyping related to eating disorders using the appRecovery Recordadapted for the Apple Watch. Discussion BEGIN examines the interplay of genomic, gut microbiota, and behavioral factors to explore etiology and develop predictors of risk, course of illness, and response to treatment in bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. We will optimize the richness and longitudinal structure of deep passive and active phenotypic data to lay the foundation for a personalized precision medicine approach enabling just-in-time interventions that will allow individuals to disrupt eating disorder behaviors in real time before they occur.