Tiffany M Stewart1, Tarryn Pollard2, Tom Hildebrandt3, Robbie Beyl2, Nicole Wesley2, Lisa Smith Kilpela4, Carolyn Black Becker5. 1. Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, United States. Electronic address: Tiffany.stewart@pbrc.edu. 2. Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, United States. 3. The Mount Sinai Hospital, United States. 4. University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Antonio, TX, United States. 5. Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Eating Disorders (EDs) are serious psychiatric illnesses marked by psychiatric comorbidity, medical complications, and functional impairment. Research indicates that female athletes are often at greater risk for developing ED pathology versus non-athlete females. The Female Athlete Body (FAB) study is a three-site, randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to assess the efficacy of a behavioral ED prevention program for female collegiate athletes when implemented by community providers. This paper describes the design, intervention, and participant baseline characteristics. Future papers will discuss outcomes. METHODS:Female collegiate athletes (N=481) aged 17-21 were randomized by site, team, and sport type to either FAB or a waitlist control group. FAB consisted of three sessions (1.3h each) of a behavioral ED prevention program. Assessments were conducted at baseline (pre-intervention), post-intervention (3weeks), and six-, 12-, and 18-month follow-ups. RESULTS: This study achieved 96% (N=481) of target recruitment (N=500). Few group differences emerged at baseline. Total sample analyses revealed moderately low baseline instances of ED symptoms and clinical cases. CONCLUSIONS: Health risks associated with EDs necessitate interventions for female athletes. The FAB study is the largest existing RCT for female athletes aimed at both reduction of ED risk factors and ED prevention. The methods presented and population recruited for this study represent an ideal intervention for assessing the effects of FAB on both the aforementioned outcomes. We anticipate that findings of this study (reported in future papers) will make a significant contribution to the ED risk factor reduction and prevention literature.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Eating Disorders (EDs) are serious psychiatric illnesses marked by psychiatric comorbidity, medical complications, and functional impairment. Research indicates that female athletes are often at greater risk for developing ED pathology versus non-athlete females. The Female Athlete Body (FAB) study is a three-site, randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to assess the efficacy of a behavioral ED prevention program for female collegiate athletes when implemented by community providers. This paper describes the design, intervention, and participant baseline characteristics. Future papers will discuss outcomes. METHODS: Female collegiate athletes (N=481) aged 17-21 were randomized by site, team, and sport type to either FAB or a waitlist control group. FAB consisted of three sessions (1.3h each) of a behavioral ED prevention program. Assessments were conducted at baseline (pre-intervention), post-intervention (3weeks), and six-, 12-, and 18-month follow-ups. RESULTS: This study achieved 96% (N=481) of target recruitment (N=500). Few group differences emerged at baseline. Total sample analyses revealed moderately low baseline instances of ED symptoms and clinical cases. CONCLUSIONS: Health risks associated with EDs necessitate interventions for female athletes. The FAB study is the largest existing RCT for female athletes aimed at both reduction of ED risk factors and ED prevention. The methods presented and population recruited for this study represent an ideal intervention for assessing the effects of FAB on both the aforementioned outcomes. We anticipate that findings of this study (reported in future papers) will make a significant contribution to the ED risk factor reduction and prevention literature.
Authors: Paul Rohde; Gregory N Clarke; David E Mace; Jenel S Jorgensen; John R Seeley Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2004-06 Impact factor: 8.829
Authors: Danielle A N Chapa; Kelsey E Hagan; Kelsie T Forbush; Victoria L Perko; Daria A Sorokina; Ahmed Y Alasmar; Carolyn B Becker; Roberta T Sherman; Ron A Thompson; Jennifer G Farrell; Tiffany M Stewart Journal: Int J Eat Disord Date: 2018-10-12 Impact factor: 4.861