Efficacy of an integrated program (PIA-2) to reduce the risk for problems related to eating, weight and body image in female adolescents from Argentina.

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the efficacy of an integrated program (PIA-2) to reduce the risk for problems related to eating, weight and body image in female adolescents from Argentina. A quasi-experimental study was conducted by comparing an experimental group versus a control group. The final sample included 509 girls aged 13-18 (M= 15.39 and SD= 1.30) from nine schools located in three geographical regions. They provided data at three assessment time points: baseline, post-intervention and a 3-month follow-up. Dependent variables included skipping breakfast, physical activity, eating disorder risk and thin-ideal internalization. The program was carried out in three 90-minute sessions within usual school hours, at 1-week intervals. Participants who received the intervention decreased more than the control group in skipping breakfast month by month. However, a significant effect of the intervention was not found on physical activity, eating disorder risk, and thin-ideal internalization. The presence of mixed findings shows the need to adjust the intervention to enhance the results. The importance of working jointly with other Latin American countries is emphasized, in order to promote the growth of the field of prevention, regarding cultural particularities shared by our societies. Integrated programs aimed at reducing risk factors for the entire spectrum of problems related to eating, weight and body image could lead to beneficial and more efficient effects. However, their development is still incipient in Latin America. PIA-2 Program, designed for female adolescents, produced positive results in one of the four variables studied, decreasing the weekly frequency of skipping breakfast among adolescents. This is pioneering research in Argentina and the region since very few studies on integrated prevention have been published in Latin America. It is crucial to continue with efforts aimed at developing programs that are suited to the specific needs of the population of Latin American countries. In this aspect, our study is undoubtedly an important contribution.