Adolescent female athletes in aesthetic sports disciplines (such as rhythmic gymnastics, artistic gymnastics, synchronized swimming, and figure skating) face a complex interaction between general sociocultural beauty pressures and sport-specific aesthetic demands (e.g., the 'slim to win' culture and weight-focused performance expectations). These combined pressures significantly increase their risk of developing body dissatisfaction and eating disorders (EDs). To address these systemic vulnerabilities, the HADAS Program (Habits, Eating, Sports, Adolescents, and Health) was developed as a multi-level, synchronized psychoeducational intervention designed to target the complete "sports triangle": adolescent female athletes, their technical coaches, and their immediate family members. The primary objective of this cluster randomized controlled trial (cluster RCT) is to evaluate the efficacy of the HADAS Program in reducing eating disorder risk (EAT-26) and body image dissatisfaction (BSQ-34) among competitive adolescent female athletes aged 12 to 16 years. Sports clubs are randomly assigned to either the Experimental Group (receiving the HADAS intervention) or a Waitlist Control Group (maintaining standard training). The program includes 5 interactive group sessions for athletes, 4 reflective workshops for coaches, and 2 structured sessions for family members, all supported by cohort-specific workbooks. Outcomes are evaluated across four longitudinal time points: Baseline (T0), Immediate Post-intervention (T1), 6-month Follow-up (T2), and 12-month Follow-up (T3).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
236
A synchronized, multi-level psychoeducational prevention program designed to target eating disorder risk and body image dissatisfaction across the sports triangle (athletes, coaches, and families). Content focuses on media literacy, healthy life habits, emotional management, deconstructing body-weight myths in aesthetic sports, and promoting autonomy-supportive coaching and family environments
Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche - Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health
Elche, Alicante, Spain
Eating Disorder Risk and Symptomatology
Evaluated using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26; Garner et al., 1982; Spanish validation by Rivas et al., 2010). It assesses eating disorder risk behaviors and attitudes across 26 items. Total scores range from 0 to 78, where higher scores indicate greater eating disorder risk and symptomatology (a worse outcome) . Scores of 20 or higher indicate the presence of significant risk attitudes toward eating.
Time frame: Baseline (T0), Immediate Post-intervention (T1), 6-month Follow-up (T2), and 12-month Follow-up (T3).
Body Image Dissatisfaction
Evaluated using the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-34; Cooper et al., 1987; Spanish validation by Raich et al., 1996). It assesses body dissatisfaction and concern with weight and shape across 34 items. Total scores range from 34 to 204, where higher scores indicate greater body dissatisfaction and psychological distress regarding body image (a worse outcome). Scores are categorized into no dissatisfaction (\<80), mild (80-110), moderate (111-140), and severe (\>140), with moderate and severe categories indicating significant body image vulnerability.
Time frame: Baseline (T0), Immediate Post-intervention (T1), 6-month Follow-up (T2), and 12-month Follow-up (T3).
Psychological Well-Being
Evaluated using the Psychological Well-Being Scale for Youth (PWB-SF-Y; Ryff, 1989; Spanish adaptation by Stavraki et al., 2022). It assesses well-being across 6 core dimensions using a single item per dimension. Items are rated on a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("strongly disagree") to 6 ("strongly agree"). Total scores range from 6 to 36, where higher scores indicate greater psychological well-being and optimal psychological functioning (a better outcome)..
Time frame: Baseline (T0), Immediate Post-intervention (T1), 6-month Follow-up (T2), and 12-month Follow-up (T3).
Life Satisfaction
Evaluated using the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS; Diener et al., 1985; Spanish validation in adolescents by Atienza et al., 2003). It assesses global cognitive judgments of one's life satisfaction across 5 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("strongly disagree") to 5 ("strongly agree"). Total scores range from 5 to 25, where higher scores indicate greater life satisfaction and positive cognitive evaluation of life (a better outcome).
Time frame: Baseline (T0), Immediate Post-intervention (T1), 6-month Follow-up (T2), and 12-month Follow-up (T3).
Competitive Anxiety
Evaluated using the Revised Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2R; Martens et al., 1990; Spanish validation by Andrade et al., 2007). It assesses pre-competitive state anxiety across 16 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("not at all") to 4 ("very much"). The inventory measures three subscales: Cognitive Anxiety (5 items; scores range from 5 to 20, where higher scores indicate higher cognitive anxiety / a worse outcome), Somatic Anxiety (6 items; scores range from 6 to 24, where higher scores indicate higher somatic anxiety / a worse outcome), and Self-Confidence (5 items; scores range from 5 to 20, where higher scores indicate greater self-confidence / a better outcome).
Time frame: Baseline (T0), Immediate Post-intervention (T1), 6-month Follow-up (T2), and 12-month Follow-up (T3).
Perfectionism in sports
Evaluated using the Multidimensional Inventory of Perfectionism in Sport (MIPS; Stoeber et al., 2006; Spanish validation by Ramírez-Muñoz et al., 2023). It assesses sport-specific perfectionism across 10 items rated on a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("never") to 6 ("always"). The inventory yields two distinct subscales (5 items each, with total scores ranging from 5 to 30 for each subscale): Striving for Perfection (evaluates personal standards of excellence) and Negative Reactions to Imperfection (evaluates negative reactions to mistakes and sensitivity to external pressure), where higher scores reflect greater maladaptive perfectionism and a worse outcome).
Time frame: Baseline (T0), Immediate Post-intervention (T1), 6-month Follow-up (T2), and 12-month Follow-up (T3).
Appearance awareness on social networks
Evaluated using the Appearance-Related Social Media Consciousness Scale (ASMC; Choukas-Bradley et al., 2020; Spanish validation by Rojo et al., 2023). It measures the ongoing awareness and body monitoring of one's physical appearance in social media contexts across 13 items rated on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("never") to 7 ("always"). Total scores range from 13 to 91, where higher scores indicate greater appearance-related social media consciousness and body surveillance (a worse outcome).
Time frame: Baseline (T0), Immediate Post-intervention (T1), 6-month Follow-up (T2), and 12-month Follow-up (T3).
Critical Thinking about Media
Evaluated using the Critical Thinking About Media Messages Scale (CTMM; Scull et al., 2010; Spanish validation by Rojo et al., 2023). It assesses the degree to which individuals critically analyze and evaluate aesthetic and appearance-focused media messages across 6 items rated on a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("never") to 6 ("always"). Total scores range from 6 to 36, where higher scores indicate greater critical thinking toward media and social media messages (a better outcome).
Time frame: Baseline (T0), Immediate Post-intervention (T1), 6-month Follow-up (T2), and 12-month Follow-up (T3).
General knowledge about nutrition in adolescents
Evaluated using the Questionnaire on Nutrition Knowledge for Adolescents (C.A.P.A.; Ladrón-Arana et al., 2021). It assesses nutritional literacy and general healthy eating knowledge in adolescents across 26 multiple-choice items (with 4 response options per item). Each correct response is awarded 1 point, yielding total scores ranging from 0 to 26, where higher scores indicate greater general nutritional knowledge and dietary literacy (a better outcome).
Time frame: Baseline (T0), Immediate Post-intervention (T1), 6-month Follow-up (T2), and 12-month Follow-up (T3).
Coach controlling behaviors
Evaluated using the Controlling Coach Behaviors Scale (CCBS; Bartholomew et al., 2010; Spanish validation by Castillo et al., 2014). It measures athletes' perceptions of their coach's controlling interpersonal style across 15 items rated on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("strongly disagree") to 7 ("strongly agree"). The scale assesses four subscales: Controlling Use of Rewards (4 items), Negative Conditional Regard (4 items), Intimidation (4 items), and Excessive Personal Control (3 items). Total scores range from 15 to 105, where higher scores reflect higher perceived controlling behaviors from the coach (a worse outcome).
Time frame: Baseline (T0), Immediate Post-intervention (T1), 6-month Follow-up (T2), and 12-month Follow-up (T3).
Leadership style in sport
Evaluated using the Leadership Scale for Sports (LSS; Chelladurai \& Saleh, 1980; Spanish validation by Crespo et al., 1994). It assesses perceived coaching leadership behaviors across 31 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("never") to 5 ("always"). The Spanish adaptation measures 4 dimensions: Relationship-Oriented Behavior (13 items), Task-Oriented Behavior (10 items), Democratic Behavior (4 items), and Autocratic Behavior (4 items). Dimension mean scores range from 1 to 5, where higher scores in Relationship-Oriented, Task-Oriented, and Democratic behaviors reflect more supportive and adaptive leadership styles (a better outcome).
Time frame: Baseline (T0), Immediate Post-intervention (T1), 6-month Follow-up (T2), and 12-month Follow-up (T3).
Coach Eating Disorder Literacy and Warning Signs Knowledge
Evaluated using the ad hoc Coach Eating Disorder Knowledge Questionnaire, created specifically for the HADAS Program by its research group to evaluate program-specific learning objectives. The instrument was developed and validated via a four-stage process (item generation, expert panel review, scoring design, and pilot testing). It assesses sports-specific eating disorder (ED) literacy across 25 items structured in 5 core dimensions: (1) General multi-causal etiology (items 1-6); (2) Identification of behavioral/emotional warning signs in sports contexts (items 7-11); (3) Risk and protective factors in competitive environments (items 12-16); (4) Consequences on physical health and performance (items 17-20); and (5) Early detection and intervention protocols (items 21-25). Items use a True/False/I Don't Know (1 point for correct responses; 0 points for others). Total scores range from 0 to 25, where higher scores indicate higher sports-specific ED literacy and detection competence
Time frame: Baseline (T0), Immediate Post-intervention (T1), 6-month Follow-up (T2), and 12-month Follow-up (T3).
Parental Eating Disorder Literacy and Warning Signs Knowledge
Evaluated using the ad hoc Family Eating Disorder Knowledge Questionnaire, created specifically for the HADAS Program by its research group to align directly with the family intervention curriculum. The instrument was developed and validated via a four-stage process (item generation, expert panel review, scoring design, and pilot testing). It assesses family eating disorder literacy and management across 25 items structured in 5 core dimensions: (1) General ED knowledge (items 1-6); (2) Symptom identification in adolescent athletes (items 7-11); (3) Interpretation and behavioral action plans (items 12-15); (4) Risk and protective factors (items 16-19); and (5) Language, media literacy, and family role (items 20-25). Items use a True/False/I Don't Know format (1 point for correct responses; 0 points for incorrect or 'I Don't Know' answers). Total scores range from 0 to 25, where higher scores indicate greater parental eating disorder literacy and proactive family management skills.
Time frame: Baseline (T0), Immediate Post-intervention (T1), 6-month Follow-up (T2), and 12-month Follow-up (T3).
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