Denise Wilfley
Scott Rudolph University Professor of Psychiatry, Medicine, Pediatrics, and Psychological & Brain Sciences
- Phone: 314-286-2079
- Email: wilfleyd@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, Staiano AE, Altman M, Lindros J, Lima A, Hassink SG, Dietz WH, Cook S, , (2017 Jan). Improving access and systems of care for evidence-based childhood obesity treatment: Conference key findings and next steps. Obesity (Silver Spring). 25(1): 16-29.
Read publication »Improving access and systems of care for evidence-based childhood obesity treatment: Conference key findings and next steps. - Kazdin AE, Fitzsimmons-Craft EE, Wilfley DE, (2017 Mar). Addressing critical gaps in the treatment of eating disorders. Int J Eat Disord. 50(3): 170-189.
Read publication »Addressing critical gaps in the treatment of eating disorders. - Wilfley Denise E.,Saelens Brian E.,Stein Richard I.,Best John R.,Kolko Rachel P.,Schechtman Kenneth B.,Wallendorf Michael,Welch R. Robinson,Perri Michael G.,Epstein Leonard H.,;Dose, content, and mediators of family-based treatment for childhood
obesity: A multi-site randomized clinical trial;;
Read publication »Dose, content, and mediators of family-based treatment for childhood obesity: A multi-site randomized clinical trial - 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 »Indicated prevention of adult obesity: how much weight change is necessary for normalization of weight status in children? - Wilfley, DE, Van Buren, DJ, Theim, KR, Stein, RI, Saelens, BE, Ezzet, F, Russian, AC, Perri, MG, Epstein, LH (2010). The use of biosimulation in the design of a novel multilevel weight loss maintenance program for overweight children. Obesity, 18(S1):S91-S99. PMCID: PMC3044501.
Read publication »The built environment moderates effects of family-based childhood obesity treatment over 2 years. - Wilfley, DE, Stein, RI, Saelens, BE, Mockus, DS, Matt, GE, Hayden-Wade, HA, Welch, RR, Schechtman, KB, Thompson, PA, Epstein, LH (2007). Efficacy of maintenance treatment approaches for childhood overweight: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 298:1661-1673. PMID: 17925518.
Read publication »Randomized, controlled trial of an internet-facilitated intervention for reducing binge eating and overweight in adolescents.
Funded Research Projects
R34 MH119170 (Co-PI) Leveraging Social Media to Identify and Connect Teens with Eating Disorders to a Mobile Guided Self-Help Mobile Intervention
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)
WashU MyWay to Health Program
PCS 2017C2-7542 (PI)
A Pragmatic Family-Centered Approach to Childhood Obesity Treatment
NIMH 1R01MH115128 (PI)
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 (Co-PI)
The Effectiveness of Family-based Weight Loss Treatment Implemented in Primary Care
AHRQ 1R13HS022816 (PI)
Evidence-based Childhood Obesity Treatment: Improving Access to Systems of Care
NHLBI 2 T32 HL007456-26 (PI)
Nutrition-Behavioral Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
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
NIDDK 1 U01 DK61230 (Subcontract PI)
Studies to Treat or Prevent Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents & Youth
NIDDK 1R01DK104115-01 (Co-I)
Preventing Obesity in Military Communities – Adolescents
NICHD R01HD080292-01 (Co-I)
Using Prospection to Improve Obesity Treatment
National Eating Disorders Association (PI)
Harnessing Technology for Training Clinicians to Deliver Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Shire Pharmaceuticals (PI)
Training in Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) to Treat Binge Eating Disorder
General Mills Champions for Healthy Kids Grant (PI)
KIPP Victory Academy Healthy Habits Program
Norwegian Regional Health Authorities (Co-I)
Treatment of Severely Obese Children and Adolescents in Common Health Care Settings: An Effectiveness Study Employing Family based Behavioral Social Facilitation Treatment (FBFST)