Preventing eating disorders in young women: An RCT and mixed-methods evaluation of the peer-delivered Body Project.

Abstract

Young women are at increased risk for eating disorders during adolescence (age range = 16-19), and there is the need for effective, sustainable prevention programs delivered during this critical window of development. The Body Project is a dissonance-based program that reduces key risk factors for disordered eating. Few studies have evaluated the program or the participant experience when peer-delivered at the high school level. The objective of this study was to evaluate using mixed-methods the Body Project program when peer-delivered among high school women. Three studies were conducted among young women in high school in the United States: (a) an open trial evaluation of a peer-delivered Body Project program (n = 112), (b) a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing the Body Project with assessment-only control (n = 74), and (c) a qualitative investigation of participants' experiences (n = 131). Open trial participants reported significant reductions in eating disorder risk factors and improvements in mood and self-attitude constructs over the intervention period (ds = .32-.77, ps < .01). Intervention effects for Body Project participants in the RCT compared with control were significant for body dissatisfaction, thin ideal internalization, dietary restraint, self-compassion, body surveillance, and loneliness (ds = .55-1.38, ps < .02). Thematic analyses of qualitative data highlight considerations for program delivery and engagement, including insights about why women join the program and perspectives on peer leaders. Findings support the effectiveness of the peer-delivered Body Project with high school-aged women and highlight key recommendations for increasing engagement and strengthening prevention programs among young women. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).