Source
Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA. stice@psy.utexas.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
Because universal psychoeducational eating disorder prevention programs have had little success, we developed and evaluated two interventions for high-risk populations: a healthy weight control intervention and a dissonance-based intervention.
METHOD:
Adolescent girls (N = 148) with body image concerns were randomized to one of these interventions or to a waitlist control group. Participants completed baseline, termination, and 1, 3, and 6-month follow-up surveys.
RESULTS:
Participants in both interventions reported decreased thin-ideal internalization, negative affect, and bulimic symptoms at termination and follow-up relative to controls. However, no effects were observed for body dissatisfaction or dieting and effects diminished over time.
DISCUSSION:
Results provide evidence that both interventions effectively reduce bulimic pathology and risk factors for eating disturbances.
Copyright 2002 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.