This present study will compare the efficacy of in-person versus virtually-delivered Body Project groups. It will also evaluate whether this body acceptance class produces greater reductions in eating disorder risk factor symptoms (pursuit of the thin ideal, body dissatisfaction, dieting, dietary restraint, negative affect, eating disorder symptoms, and the future onset of eating disorders over a 3-month follow-up in this population. It will also evaluate the effectiveness of this body acceptance class's ability to impact social appearance anxiety, body compassion, and self-stigma surrounding attaining help.
Dozens of eating disorder prevention programs have been evaluated, but only the 4-hr Body Project has reduced eating disorder symptoms and future eating disorder onset over 3-4 year follow-up, produced larger reductions in outcomes than credible alternative interventions, been shown to engage the intervention target (valuation of the thin beauty ideal), and produced effects in trials from several independent teams. The proposed study will evaluate the effectiveness of a peer-implemented, virtually delivered, body acceptance class compared to a peer-implemented, in-person delivery of the same class. Participation in the intervention will last four weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to the in-person or virtual body acceptance class. Assessments will take place at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
69
A four-week dissonance-based program where individuals with body image concerns complete verbal, written, and behavioral activities. The program consists of four 60-minute sessions
Stanford University
Palo Alto, California, United States
St. Mary's College of Maryland
Saint Marys City, Maryland, United States
Change Over Time in Body Dissatisfaction
Ten items from the Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction with Body Parts Scale assessed satisfaction with body parts with a response scale ranging from 1 = extremely dissatisfied to 6 = extremely satisfied. The mean score across the items is reported. Overall scores can range from 1 to 6 and a higher score indicate a greater level of body satisfaction.
Time frame: Pre intervention obtained on intake, and immediately post intervention (after completion of 4 weeks of group session once a week)
Change Over Time in Thin Ideal Internalization
The eight-item Ideal-Body Stereotype Scale-Revised will assess endorsement of the thin beauty ideal using a response scale ranging from 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree. The mean score across the items is reported. Overall scores can range from 1 to 5 and a higher score indicates a greater level of thin ideal internalization.
Time frame: Pre intervention obtained on intake, and immediately post intervention (after completion of 4 weeks of group session once a week)
Change Over Time in Negative Affect
Twenty items from the sadness, guilt, and fear/anxiety subscales from the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale-Revised will assess negative affect. Participants reported the extent to which they had felt negative emotions on scales ranging from 1 = very slightly or not at all to 5 = extremely. The mean score across the items is reported. Overall scores can range from 1 to 5 and a higher score indicates a greater level of negative affect.
Time frame: Pre intervention obtained on intake, and immediately post intervention (after completion of 4 weeks of group session once a week)
Change Over Time in Dieting
The 10-item Dutch Restrained Eating Scale will assess the frequency of dieting behaviors using a response scale ranging from 1 = never to 5 = always. The mean score across the items is reported. Overall scores can range from 1 to 5 and a higher score indicates greater frequency of dieting behaviors.
Time frame: Pre intervention obtained on intake, and immediately post intervention (after completion of 4 weeks of group session once a week)
Body Comparison Orientation
The six selected items from the Body, Eating, and Exercise Comparison Orientation Scale will assess the frequency of body comparisons using a response scale ranging from 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree. The mean score across the items is reported. Overall scores can range from 1 to 5 and a higher score indicates greater frequency of body comparison.
Time frame: Pre intervention obtained on intake, and immediately post intervention (after completion of 4 weeks of group session once a week)
Change Over Time in Social Appearance Anxiety
The 16-item Social Appearance Anxiety Scale will assess levels of social appearance anxiety using a response scale ranging from 1 = not at all to 5 = extremely.
Time frame: Pre intervention obtained on intake, and immediately post intervention.
Change Over Time in Body Compassion
The 10-item Body Appreciation Scale-2 will assess levels of body compassion using a response scale ranging from 1 = never to 5 = always.
Time frame: Pre intervention obtained on intake, and immediately post intervention.
Change Over Time in Self-Stigma of Seeking Help Scale
The 10-item Self-Stigma of Seeking Help Scale will assess participants' views towards seeking help using a scale ranging from 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree.
Time frame: Pre intervention obtained on intake, and immediately post intervention.
Number of Eating Disorder Behaviors (Events) as a Measure of Change Over Time in Eating Disorder Symptoms
Interviewer assesses frequency of eating disorder behaviors using Eating Disorder Diagnostic Interview.
Time frame: Pre intervention and 3 months after the end of the intervention.
Body Project Specific Attitude Measures
7 items assessing attitudes that are targeted as part of The Body Project training using a response scale ranging from 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree.
Time frame: Pre intervention obtained on intake, and immediately post intervention.
Body Project Specific Outcome Measures
7 items assessing attitudes that are targeted as part of The Body Project training using a response scale ranging from 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree.
Time frame: Pre intervention obtained on intake, and immediately post intervention.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.