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Testing the efficacy of an eating disorder prevention program
M J Baranowski1, M M Hetherington
1Department of Psychology, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland.
The International Journal of Eating Disorders
|June 30, 2001
Summary
This study on preadolescent girls found that healthy eating interventions reduced dietary restraint. While self-esteem showed a marginal improvement, the findings suggest targeted eating disorder prevention for older girls may be more effective.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Public Health Nutrition
- Eating Disorder Prevention
Background:
- Eating disorders are a significant concern in preadolescence.
- Early intervention strategies are crucial for preventing long-term psychological and behavioral issues.
- Self-esteem and eating behaviors are key indicators for potential eating disorder development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of an eating disorder prevention program in preadolescent females.
- To assess the impact of the program on self-esteem and eating behaviors compared to a control group.
Main Methods:
- Two 5-week interventions were administered to preadolescent female groups.
- Measurements included self-esteem, body esteem, dietary restraint, and eating pathology.
- Data were collected pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and at a 6-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- Dietary restraint significantly decreased in both the intervention and control groups.
- A marginally significant improvement in self-esteem was observed in the intervention group.
Conclusions:
- While the intervention showed promise, eating disorder prevention may be more impactful when focused on older, at-risk adolescents.
- Promoting healthy eating habits in younger girls can reduce dietary restraint, a potential factor in preventing future eating disorders.