Dissonance-based eating disorder prevention delivered in-person after an online training: A randomized controlled trial for Brazilian men with body dissatisfaction.

Abstract

Few prevention programs have been developed and empirically evaluated to address eating disorder (ED) and muscle dysmorphia (MD) symptoms in men. Furthermore, new strategies for the broad implementation of available programs are needed. We investigated the acceptability and efficacy of a dissonance-based (DB) intervention for Brazilian undergraduate men with body dissatisfaction to target risk and protective factors for ED and MD symptoms (the Body Project: More Than Muscles) after an online training for facilitators. Participants were randomized to a two-session DB-intervention (n = 89) or assessment-only control (AOC) (n = 91), and completed validated measures assessing ED and MD risk and protective factors pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 4- and 24-week follow-up post-intervention. Acceptability ratings were highly favorable. Regarding efficacy, the DB condition demonstrated significantly greater decreases in ED and MD risk factors compared to AOC from pre-intervention to 4-week (p-values <.05, between-condition Cohen's d = 0.35-1.10) and 24-week follow-up (p-values <.05, between-condition Cohen's d = 0.33-0.78). Results at post-intervention were not significant, with the exception that body appreciation showed significantly greater improvements in the DB condition (post-intervention: p < .01, between-condition Cohen's d = 0.40; 4-week: p < .001, between-condition Cohen's d = 0.80; and 24-week follow-up: p < .001, between-condition Cohen's d = 0.58). Results support the acceptability and efficacy of a DB-intervention delivered in-person after an online training for facilitators up to 24-week follow-up in Brazilian men.