Is information about eating disorders experienced as harmful? A consumer perspective on primary prevention

Empirical studies showing harmful side effects such as symptom learning have led to the abandoning of symptom information in school-based prevention programs on eating disorders. However, little is known about how students themselves experience information about eating disorders, and how they believe information about eating disorders may affect students in general. A positive experience may be expected because information may reduce student's worry and concern about an eating disorder for themselves and their peers. This survey of 107 15-16-year-old students in a junior high school showed that students, and girls in particular, found information about eating disorders provided in school-based prevention programs useful, meaningful, and interesting. Also, they believed that information may help students in general better understand the nature of eating disorders in order to support peers and friends. Interviews still showed that information was poorly related to their own situation as many reported dieting to be thinner to acquire prefection, and that they could diet without loosing control. Interviews also showed that students wanted more interactive classroom discussions about eating disorders. Discussion may facilitate elaboration and a better personal integration of information. It is suggested that integrated information based social support, and not information per se might be the preventive agent,and that the provision of information can then be defendable within a health promotion paradigm. Replacing the school teacher with a specialist prevention team to improve the credibility of information could be a useful strategy that needs further investigation.