OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of an eating disorder prevention program was tested in a group of preadolescent females. Improvements in self-esteem and eating behavior were predicted relative to a control group. METHOD: Two interventions lasting 5 weeks were designed and then administered to two groups of preadolescent females. Self-esteem, body esteem, dietary restraint, and eating pathology were measured before, immediately, and 6 months following an eating disorders prevention program (n = 16) and a similarly designed control program (n = 13) focusing on fruit and vegetable intake. RESULTS: Dietary restraint in both groups decreased following the interventions. Self-esteem improved in the experimental group, but this was only marginally significant. DISCUSSION: Eating disorder prevention programs may be most effective when targeted at older, more at-risk girls. However, encouraging healthy eating in both groups of preadolescent girls reduced dietary restraint, which may be an important step in the prevention of later eating disorders.
OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of an eating disorder prevention program was tested in a group of preadolescent females. Improvements in self-esteem and eating behavior were predicted relative to a control group. METHOD: Two interventions lasting 5 weeks were designed and then administered to two groups of preadolescent females. Self-esteem, body esteem, dietary restraint, and eating pathology were measured before, immediately, and 6 months following an eating disorders prevention program (n = 16) and a similarly designed control program (n = 13) focusing on fruit and vegetable intake. RESULTS: Dietary restraint in both groups decreased following the interventions. Self-esteem improved in the experimental group, but this was only marginally significant. DISCUSSION: Eating disorder prevention programs may be most effective when targeted at older, more at-risk girls. However, encouraging healthy eating in both groups of preadolescent girls reduced dietary restraint, which may be an important step in the prevention of later eating disorders.
Authors: Ignacio Jáuregui Lobera; Pilar León Lozano; Patricia Bolaños Ríos; Juan Romero Candau; Gregorio Sánchez Del Villar Y Lebreros; M Teresa Morales Millán; M Teresa Montaña González; Lourdes Andrés Martín; Isabela Justo Villalobos; Nuria Vargas Sánchez Journal: Int J Gen Med Date: 2010-10-05