Healthy weight control and dissonance-based eating disorder prevention programs: results from a controlled trial

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.