Internet-based innovations for the prevention of eating disorders: a systematic review.

The objective of this systematic review was to compare the results of studies of Internet-based eating disorder prevention programs. Eight electronic bibliographic databases, three key journals, and study reference lists were searched. This method yielded five published studies: four experimental and one quasi-experimental. A meta-analysis of the study results indicated no statistical significance for pooled study outcome data. No robust evidence exists on the impact of Internet-based prevention strategies on eating disordered symptomatology and on putative factors that contribute to eating disorder development. Further intervention development and consideration to study design are needed to move this field forward.