Prevention of disturbed eating behavior: an intervention program in Swiss high school classes.

A prospective study to examine the effect of health promotion lessons on disturbed eating behavior was carried out subsequent to an epidemiological study on eating behavior in adolescents. The data analyses revealed improvements in dieting behavior and physical well-being of students with disturbed eating behavior. Aside from the effect on the individual student, the prevention program also had effects on the school environment. Carrying out a school-based prevention program that addresses different developmental challenges experienced by adolescents may have a long-term positive impact on the students and on their immediate environment.