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Engaging teachers in an eating disorder preventive intervention
Angela Favaro1, Tatiana Zanetti, Gail Huon
1Psychiatric Clinic, Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, Padova, Italy.
The International Journal of Eating Disorders
|June 23, 2005
Summary
A teacher-led psychoeducational program significantly reduced eating disorder symptoms in female students. The intervention showed particular benefits for bulimic symptoms and reduced unhealthy food restraint.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Education
Background:
- Eating disorders are a significant concern among adolescents.
- Early intervention is crucial for preventing the development of eating disorders.
- School-based programs offer a scalable approach to prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the 1-year effectiveness of a psychoeducational eating disorder prevention program.
- To assess the impact of teacher-implemented interventions on student eating behaviors.
- To identify specific symptom areas that benefit most from preventive measures.
Main Methods:
- A 5-week teacher training program preceded the 6-week student intervention.
- 141 female students from a vocational school were assessed.
- Assessments included the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40).
Main Results:
- A notable number of control group students developed eating disorders within a year.
- The intervention group showed significant improvement in EAT Bulimia subscale scores.
- Students in the prevention group exhibited less development of food restraint and pathological body attitudes.
Conclusions:
- Teacher-led psychoeducational programs can benefit students in preventing eating disorders.
- The intervention demonstrated particular efficacy in reducing bulimic symptoms.
- Findings suggest the potential for broader implementation of such school-based programs, with cautious consideration of sample size.