Denise Wilfley
Scott Rudolph University Professor of Psychiatry, Medicine, Pediatrics, and Psychological & Brain Sciences
- Phone: 314-286-2079
- Email: wilfleyd@nospam.wustl.edu
Additional Titles & Roles
- Director, Weight Management & Eating Disorders Program
Education & Training
- Postdoctoral Training: Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 1991
- PhD: University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 1989
Major Awards
- Special Government Employee member, Center for Scientific Review Advisory Council, 2018, 2019
- Oded Bar-Or Award for Excellence in Pediatric Obesity Research, 2018
- K24 Midcareer NIH Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
- Clinical Care Councilor, The Obesity Society, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
- Secretary/Treasurer, The Obesity Society – Pediatric Obesity Section, 2010, 2011
- Vice President, The Obesity Society – Pediatric Obesity Section, 2011, 2012
Areas of Clinical Interest
Etiology, prevention, and treatment of eating disorders and obesity.
Research Interests
Dr. Wilfley’s program of research centers on the causes, prevention, and treatment of eating disorders and obesity among children, adolescents, and adults. Current programs of research include: (1) the classification, characterization, assessment, and risk factors of eating and weight disorders; (2) the development of effective treatments for individuals suffering from eating disorders and obesity; and (3) the development of innovative and cost-effective methods for early intervention and prevention of eating disorders and obesity.
Key Publications
- Wilfley DE, Hayes JF, Balantekin KN, Van Buren DJ, Epstein LH. Behavioral interventions for obesity in children and adults: Evidence base, novel approaches, and translation into practice. Am Psychol. 2018 Nov;73(8):981-993. doi: 10.1037/amp0000293. PMID: 30394777; PMCID: PMC6220709.
Read publication »Photoaffinity cross-linking of oligomycin-sensitive ATPase from beef heart mitochondria by 3′-arylazido-8-azido ATP. - Kazdin AE, Fitzsimmons-Craft EE, Wilfley DE. Addressing critical gaps in the treatment of eating disorders. Int J Eat Disord. 2017 Mar;50(3):170-189. doi: 10.1002/eat.22670. Epub 2017 Jan 19. PMID: 28102908; PMCID: PMC6169314.
Read publication »Addressing critical gaps in the treatment of eating disorders. - Wilfley DE, Saelens BE, Stein RI, Best JR, Kolko RP, Schechtman KB, Wallendorf M, Welch RR, Perri MG, Epstein LH. Dose, Content, and Mediators of Family-Based Treatment for Childhood Obesity: A Multisite Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Pediatr. 2017 Dec 1;171(12):1151-1159. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.2960. PMID: 29084318; PMCID: PMC6169780.
Read publication »Cellular interactions in immune regulation. Hapten-specific suppression by non-T cells and T cell mediated reversal of suppression. - Taylor CB, Kass AE, Trockel M, Cunning D, Weisman H, Bailey J, Sinton M, Aspen V, Schecthman K, Jacobi C, Wilfley DE. (2016). Reducing eating disorder onset in a very high risk sample with significant comorbid depression: A randomized controlled trial. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2016 May;84(5):402-14. PMCID: PMC4836995.
Read publication »[Injury and cardiac tamponade in closed thoracic trauma]. - Wilfley DE, Agras WS, Fitzsimmons-Craft EE, Bohon C, Eichen DM, Welch RR, Jo B, Raghavan R, Proctor EK, Wilson GT. Training Models For Implementing Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment: A Cluster-Randomized Trial in College Counseling Centers. JAMA Psychiatry. 2019 Nov 6;77(2):139–47. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.3483. Epub ahead of print. Erratum in: JAMA Psychiatry. 2019 Nov 27;: PMID: 31693069; PMCID: PMC6865264.
Read publication » - Wilfley DE, Stein RI, Saelens BE, Mockus DS, Matt GE, Hayden-Wade HA, Welch RR, Schechtman KB, Thompson PA, Epstein LH. Efficacy of maintenance treatment approaches for childhood overweight: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2007 Oct 10;298(14):1661-73. doi: 10.1001/jama.298.14.1661. PMID: 17925518.
Read publication »Efficacy of maintenance treatment approaches for childhood overweight: a randomized controlled trial.
Funded Research Projects
NIMH: R34 MH119170 (MPI)
Leveraging Social Media to Identify and Connect Teens with Eating Disorders to a Mobile Guided Self-Help Mobile Intervention
CDC: U18DP006425 (PI)
Dissemination of an Evidence-Based Pediatric Weight Management Program for Use by Low Income Families: A User-Friendly Package of Family-Based Behavioral Treatment
Washington University School of Medicine (PI)
MyWay to Health Employee Wellness Program
PCORI: 2017C2-7542 (PI)
A Pragmatic Family-Centered Approach to Childhood Obesity Treatment
NIMH: 1R01MH115128 (MPI)
Harnessing Mobile Technology to Reduce Mental Health Disorders in College Populations
NHLBI: 1T32HL130357-01 (PI)
WUSTL Transdisciplinary Pre- and Postdoctoral Training Program in Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease
NHLBI: 5U01HL131552-02 (MPI)
The Effectiveness of Family-based Weight Loss Treatment Implemented in Primary Care
NICHD: R01HD080292-01 (Co-I)
Using Prospection to Improve Obesity Treatment
Missouri Eating Disorder Council: MCCBH-2020-1-MED (PI)
Missouri Eating Disorders 360 Program Project Coordination
Missouri Eating Disorder Council: MCCBH-2019-1-MED (PI)
Missouri Eating Disorders Healthy Body Image Program Project Coordination
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences: HU00011920029 (Co-I)
Preventing Obesity and Eating Disorders to Improve Cardiovascular Outcomes in Active Duty Service Member
Recently Completed
AHRQ 1R13HS022816 (PI)
Evidence-based Childhood Obesity Treatment: Improving Access to Systems of Care
NIMH 1R01MH095748-01 (PI)
Implementation of Evidence-based Treatments for On-campus Eating Disorders
NIMH 1R01MH100455-01 (PI)
Using Technology to Improve Eating Disorders Treatment
NICHD 2 R01 HD036904-06 (PI)
Childhood Obesity Treatment: A Maintenance Approach
National Eating Disorders Association (PI)
Harnessing Technology for Training Clinicians to Deliver Interpersonal Psychotherapy