Work

Feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of a school-based prevention programme for eating disorders: Cluster randomised controlled trial

Year: 2013

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Body image dissatisfaction during adolescence is common but not benign. School-based interventions have the potential for wide reach, but scalability of previous programmes is limited by a reliance on external facilitators. AIMS: To assess the acceptability, feasibility and efficacy of a teacher-delivered body image intervention. METHOD: A pilot clustered randomised controlled trial in which 16 classes of adolescent girls were allocated to a 6-session body image programme (n = 261), or usual curriculum control (n = 187) (registration: ISRCTN42594993). RESULTS: Students in the intervention group had significantly improved body esteem and self-esteem and reduced thin-ideal internalisation. Effects for body esteem and thin-ideal internalisation were maintained for 3 months. There were no group differences for eating pathology, peer factors or depression. Acceptability, feasibility and efficacy varied between schools. CONCLUSIONS: Teacher-delivered body image lessons have promise but further work is needed to increase efficacy and make interventions suitable across a range of schools.

Source: The British Journal of Psychiatry

DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.113.128199

Authors: Helen Sharpe, Ilka Schober, Janet Treasure, Ulrike Schmidt

Institution: King's College London

Language: English

Topic: Eating Disorders and Behaviors

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Quality education

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, National Institute for Health and Care Research, King's College London, Programme Grants for Applied Research