Eating Disorder Prevention Research Articles

A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the acceptability and effectiveness of two eating disorders prevention interventions: the HEIDI BP-HW project

BackgroundEating disorders (ED) are common in Switzerland, as in other Western countries, with a prevalence of any ED of 3.5%. However, no specific prevention intervention has been evaluated in the French-speaking part of the country. In this study, we assessed the acceptability and effectiveness of two well-validated eating disorders prevention interventions: the Body Project intervention (BP), based on cognitive dissonance techniques, and the Healthy Weight intervention (HW), based on the implementation of a healthy lifestyle.MethodsForty female students, aged 18–28, with body dissatisfaction, were randomized into three arms: a BP group, an HW group, and a waiting-list control group (WLCG). The primary outcome measure was body dissatisfaction. Secondary outcomes were thin-ideal internalization, dietary restraint, negative affect, and ED psychopathology. Thirty-three participants completed the assessments before and after the one-month interventions or waiting period. A follow-up measurement was conducted one month after the interventions to assess the stability of the results.ResultsBoth interventions, delivered via a virtual web platform, were considered acceptable. The reduction in body dissatisfaction was greater in the BP group (r = 0.7; p < 0.01) or the HW group (r = 0.6; p < 0.01) than in the WLCG, with large effect sizes. Dietary restraint and shape concern were also significantly reduced in the BP group (r = 0.6 and r = 0.7, respectively; p < 0.01) and HW group (r = 0.5 and r = 0.5, respectively; p < 0.05) compared to the WLCG, with moderate to large effect sizes. The results obtained in each intervention group were stable at the one-month follow-up.ConclusionsThis study showed encouraging results in young women with body dissatisfaction, arguing in favor of the French adaptations of the BP and HW interventions. However, the feasibility of recruitment was difficult, partly due to the pandemic situation at the time of the study, and should be further considered to improve dissemination.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04558073, 22/09/2020 and Swiss National Clinical Trial Portal (SNCTP000003978).

Differences among feminist and non-feminist women on weight bias internalization, body image, and disordered eating

BackgroundResearch yields mixed results on whether feminist beliefs or self-identification are protective against body image disturbance and eating pathology in non-clinical populations. Further, no studies have examined feminism among those with diagnosed eating disorders. Additionally, previous studies have not examined the relationship between feminist identity and weight stigma. This study investigated these relationships and if there are differences in body image, eating pathology, and weight stigma among feminist identity types in women with eating disorders and college women using ANCOVAs.MethodsParticipants completed self-report measures and were women with eating disorders (N = 100) and college women (N = 240).ResultsSixty-four percent of the women with eating disorders and 75.8% of the college women identified as a feminist. An independent samples t-test found a significantly higher weight bias internalization in the clinical eating disorder sample than in the college women sample. No significant interactions were found between sample type and feminist identity for body image or weight bias internalization. Results were consistent when using a dichotomous feminist identity item and a seven-item continuous feminist identity item.ConclusionsDespite the clear impacts of the intersection of weight status and gender, results from this study suggest that identifying as a feminist is not sufficient to combate weight stigma. Findings highlight the need for further research investigating weight bias internalization within eating disorder prevention efforts and interventions.

Setting and Provider Predictors of Implementation Success for an Eating Disorder Prevention Program Delivered by College Peer Educators.

College students face increased risk for a variety of mental health problems but experience barriers to treatment access. Prevention programs, including those implemented by peer educators, may decrease treatment needs and increase service access. We examined the implementation of an evidence-based eating disorder prevention program, Body Project, delivered by college peer educators at 63 colleges/universities, comparing three levels of implementation support: (1) Train-the-Trainer (TTT) training; (2) TTT plus a technical assistance workshop (TTT + TA); and (3) TTT + TA with one year of quality assurance calls (TTT + TA + QA). The present study tested the degree to which indicators proposed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) were associated with core implementation outcomes. We tested whether indices of CFIR domains (i.e., perceived intervention characteristics, outer and inner setting factors, provider characteristics, and implementation process) were correlated with three implementation outcomes (program reach, fidelity, effectiveness) during a 1-year implementation period. Greater program reach was associated with implementation process, specifically the completion of more implementation activities (β = 0.46). Greater program fidelity was associated with higher positive (β = 0.44) and lower negative (β = - 0.43) perceptions of the Body Project characteristics, and greater reported general support for evidence-based practices (β = 0.41). Greater effectiveness was associated with lower negative perceptions of Body Project characteristics (d = 0.49). Several implementation determinants proposed by the CFIR model predicted outcomes, especially intervention fidelity. Across the outcomes of interest, implementation determinants related to peer educator and supervisor perceived characteristics of the specific intervention and general attitudes towards evidence-based practices emerged as robust predictors to inform future work investigating ongoing implementation and sustainability of programs in university settings.

Risk factors of disordered eating in adolescent girls from a community sample: a multidimensional approach.

Eating disorders (ED) are severe, chronic, and complex in nature mental illnesses that are difficult to treat. One of the ways to stave off EDs is by screening among adolescents to preempt the development of clinical forms of ED in risk groups. 1) to investigate the prevalence of ED risk among adolescent girls and compare subgroups at high and low risk of ED; 2) to investigate using a multidimensional approach those variables that can interact with temperament and character traits to predict ED symptomatology. The cross-sectional observational self-report study of a community sample of adolescent girls 1217 years old (n=298; M=14.771.13) was carried out in the city of Ryazan, Russia. The Russian versions of Eating Attitudes Test and Cloningers Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised were used. In addition, an original questionnaire (Risk Factors of Eating Disorders) was developed. Regression models (to test for significant moderation) and path analysis (to test for significant mediations) were used. Girls at risk of developing EDs are characterized by a heightened level of concern about weight and dissatisfaction with their body, tend to suffer from low self-directedness, higher novelty seeking and tendency to higher harm avoidance, display high alexithymia, experience self-distrust, negative emotionality and are dissatisfied with family relationships. They also suffer from low self-esteem and tend to be perfectionism and engage in risk behavior. Significant moderating effects were uncovered between the following ED risk factors: (1) self-distrust/risk behavior and BMI; (2) alexithymia/negative emotionality/self-esteem and cooperativeness; and (3) negative emotionality/risk behavior and self-transcendence. Family relationship dissatisfaction mediates the association between self-directedness/cooperativeness/self-transcendence and disordered eating. There are various mutual influences between the numerous ED risk and prevention factors, which all together determine the paths between the predictors and final outcome.

Weight-based discrimination and disordered eating behaviors in a cohort of U.S. sexual minority young adults.

Though prevalent, weight-based discrimination is understudied and has been linked to disordered eating behaviors (DEB) among adolescents and adults. Sexual minority populations experience elevated risk of DEB, but little is known about the role of weight discrimination in this elevated risk. Participants were 1257 sexual minority women and men (ages 18-31 years) in the US Growing Up Today Study cohort. We examined cross-sectional associations between weight discrimination victimization and three DEB in the past year: unhealthy weight control behaviors, overeating, and binge eating. Generalized estimating equations, adjusted for potential confounders, were used to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Three in 10 participants (31%) reported weight-based discrimination victimization. Sexual minority young adults who reported weight-based discrimination had greater relative prevalence of unhealthy weight control behaviors (PR [95% CI]: 1.92 [1.35, 2.74]), overeating (3.15 [2.24, 4.44]), and binge eating (3.92 [2.51, 6.13]), compared with those who reported no weight-based discrimination. Associations with overeating and binge eating remained significant after adjusting for BMI. The role of weight-based discrimination, and its intersections with other forms of stressors for sexual minority young adults, must be included in efforts to advance eating disorder prevention for this underserved population. Three in 10 sexual minority young adults in this study had experienced weight-based discrimination, a common but understudied form of discrimination. Sexual minority young adults who experienced weight-based discrimination were at greater risk of disordered eating behaviors than those who had not experienced weight-based discrimination. These findings suggest that weight-based discrimination may be an important-and preventable-risk factor for disordered eating behaviors among sexual minority young adults.

Self-hate, dissociation, and suicidal behavior in bulimia nervosa

BackgroundIndividuals with eating disorders (EDs) often struggle with markedly low self- esteem and are at risk for suicidal behavior. Dissociation and perceived burdensomeness are often cited as facilitators of suicidal outcomes. Specifically, perceived burdensomeness is comprised of self-hate and liability on others, although it remains unclear which variables most heavily influence suicidal behavior in EDs. MethodsIn a sample of 204 women with bulimia nervosa, the present study examined the potential impact of self-hate and dissociation on suicidal behavior. We hypothesized that suicidal behavior would be equally, and potentially more strongly, related to self-hate than dissociation. Regression analyses investigated the unique effects of these variables on suicidal behavior. ResultsConsistent with our hypothesis, a significant relationship emerged between self-hate and suicidal behavior (B = 0.262, SE = 0.081, p < .001, CIs = 0.035–0.110, R-squared =0.07) but not between dissociation and suicidal behavior (B = 0.010, SE = 0.007, p = .165, CIs = −0.389–2.26, R-squared =0.010). Additionally, when controlling for one another, both self-hate (B = 0.889, SE = 0.246, p < .001, CIs = 0.403–1.37) and capability for suicide (B = 0.233, SE = 0.080, p = .004, CIs = 0.076–0.391) were uniquely and independently associated with suicidal behavior. LimitationsFuture work should include longitudinal analyses to understand temporal relationships among study variables. ConclusionsIn sum, when considering suicidal outcomes, these findings support a view that highlights personal loathing rooted in self-hate rather than de-personalizing aspects of dissociation. Accordingly, self-hate may emerge as a particularly valuable target for treatment and suicide prevention in EDs.

Body image, interoceptive awareness, depression and eating disorder symptoms: Within-group variability among sexual minority women.

This study investigates within-group differences in body image concerns among sexual minority women and their related association with eating disorders and depression. Cross-sectional data were collected in 2017 and analysed in 2020 from 201 sexual minority women in the United States. Latent profile analyses and post hoc comparison analyses were conducted to investigate within-group variability in body image concerns and to understand their impact on depressive and eating disorder symptoms. Results suggested that a 5-class solution best fit the data, with five distinct profiles emerging in patterns of interoceptive awareness, sociocultural attitudes toward appearance, body shame, body surveillance and appearance anxiety. Significant differences in mean scores of depressive and eating disorder symptomatology emerged among the profiles; groups that reported low interoceptive awareness and high body image concerns experienced greater levels of eating disorder and depressive symptoms, compared to groups with average or higher levels of interoceptive awareness and average or lower body image concerns. Results underscore the significant within-group variability that exists for sexual minority women with regard to the prevalence of body image concerns, depressive symptoms and eating disorder symptoms. Efforts that aim to increase interoceptive awareness (for example, mindfulness) alongside strategies aimed at addressing negative body image concerns may be particularly effective avenues for future depression and eating disorder prevention in this diverse group. Our reporting adheres to the STROBE research reporting checklist.

The role of negative evaluation fears on associations between societal appearance pressures and disordered eating in university students

Objective: Previous research demonstrates that sociocultural appearance pressures and internalization of appearance ideals lead to disordered eating (DE); however, only a subset of individuals exposed to these influences develop clinically significant DE. Identifying moderators of these associations may increase efficacy of targeted preventions for eating disorders. This study investigated whether the fear of negative evaluation (FNE) moderates these associations. Participants: 567 university students participated between November 2019 and 2020. Methods: Participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing appearance pressures, internalization of appearance ideals, FNE, and DE. Results: There was a significant interaction between appearance pressures and FNE in relation to DE. Individuals with high appearance pressures and high FNE had the highest levels of DE. The interaction between internalization of appearance ideals and FNE did not significantly contribute to DE. Conclusions: Eating disorder prevention programs that address FNE and appearance pressures may have beneficial effects, particularly for university students with heightened FNE.

Extending single-session interventions to target parents as agents of change in adolescent eating disorders.

Schleider et al. (2023, International Journal of Eating Disorders, current issue) propose multiple applications of single-session intervention (SSI) models to the eating disorders (EDs) intervention spectrum. In this commentary, we propose extending the potential of SSIs to target parents as agents of change for youth with restrictive EDs, particularly anorexia nervosa (AN). Directing SSIs to parents of children with AN can circumvent psychological barriers to care while capitalizing on the unique level of motivation in a parent to protect a child and advance their capacity to thrive. Key design components of effective SSIs map well onto the core principles of family-based treatment (FBT), which can be distilled to inform the development of SSIs for parents of youth at risk or exhibiting emerging or diagnostic AN. The participatory action research framework highlighted by Schleider et al. (2023) speaks to the importance of developing SSIs using co-design methodologies with parents. Doing so reflects the FBT principle of parent empowerment, acknowledges the research on parental self-efficacy as a mediator of FBT, and recognizes parents as both key stakeholders in the prevention and treatment of child and adolescent EDs, and as the intended recipients of the SSIs created for this population. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Schleider et al. (2023, International Journal of Eating Disorders, current issue) propose multiple applications of single-session intervention (SSI) models to eating disorders (EDs). In this commentary, we extend the potential of SSIs to target parents as agents of change for youth with restrictive EDs. Parent-focused SSIs can circumvent psychological barriers to care while capitalizing on the unique level of motivation in a parent to advance their child's capacity to thrive.

Triggers for eating disorder onset in youth with anorexia nervosa across the weight spectrum

ABSTRACT To aid in more targeted eating disorder (ED) prevention efforts, we sought to identify sociodemographic and weight-related risk factors for identified triggers for the onset of anorexia nervosa (AN) in youth. We conducted a retrospective chart review of youth admitted for medical treatment of AN between January 2015 and February 2020. From multidisciplinary admission notes, we extracted patient-reported reasons for diet/exercise changes. We used qualitative thematic analysis to identify ED triggers, then categorized each trigger as binary variables (presence/absence) for logistic regression analysis of risks associated with each trigger. Of 150 patients, mean (SD) age was 14.1(2.3) years. A total of 129 (86%) were female and 120 (80%) were Non-Hispanic White. Triggers included environmental stressors (reported by 30%), external pressures of the thin/fit ideal (29%), internalized thin/fit ideal (29%), weight-related teasing (19%), and receiving health education (14%). Younger age was associated with higher odds of weight-related teasing (p = .04) and health education (p = .03). Males had greater odds of internalized thin/fit ideal than females (p = .04). Those with premorbid body mass indices ≥85th percentile for age and sex had greater odds of reporting positive reinforcement (p = .03) and weight-related teasing (p = .04) than those with weights <85th percentile. We use these findings to detail potential targets for advancing ED prevention efforts.

Evaluating whether a peer-led dissonance-based eating disorder prevention program prevents onset of each eating disorder type.

This study tested whether the dissonance-based Body Project eating disorder prevention program reduced onset of subthreshold/threshold anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and purging disorder (PD) over long-term follow-up. Data were combined from three prevention trials that targeted young women at high-risk for eating disorders (N = 1092; M age = 19.3). Participants were randomized to Body Project groups led by peer educators or expressive writing/educational controls and completed masked diagnostic interviews over 2- to 4-year follow-ups. Logistic regressions tested whether onset of each eating disorder over follow-up differed between Body Project and control participants. Peer-led Body Project groups produced a 46% reduction in onset of subthreshold/threshold BN and a 62% reduction in onset of PD relative to controls over follow-up. Rates of onset of subthreshold/threshold AN and BED did not significantly differ between peer-led Body Project participants and control participants. Results support the dissemination of the peer-led Body Project for reducing future onset of BN and PD. This study and recent research suggest that thin-ideal internalization, the risk factor for eating disorders targeted in the Body Project, may be more relevant for predicting onset of BN and PD compared to AN and BED. Findings support the development of a version of the Body Project aimed to reduce risk factors that have predicted future onset of all four types of eating disorders (e.g. overvaluation of weight/shape, fear of weight gain), which may more effectively prevent all eating disorder types.

Relationship between eating disorders perception and psychosocial profile in school-dropout adolescents

BackgroundIn body-mind relationship field, eating disorders (ED) are considered disabling disorders that can alter physical health status, inducing profound alterations in psychosocial, cognitive and emotional dimensions. These disorders, characterized by a strong comorbidity with other diseases, usually begin during childhood or adolescence, and include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating. Aim of this study was to investigate the associations between eating disorders perception and dimensions of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and well-being perception (WBP) in school-dropout adolescents.MethodsData were collected in 450 adolescents (19 ± 2 years, male 308), and HRQoL, WBP, and ED were assessed by means a battery of standardized questionnaire.ResultsEDs are more pronounced in females than in males (p < 0.05) and are associated with lower HRQoL (p < 0.001) and lower well-being perception (p < 0.001). EDs are associated with an impairment of physical (p < 0.05) and psychological well-being perception (p < 0.001), emotional responses (p < 0.001), self-perception (p < 0.001), and a reduction of general well-being (p < 0.05).ConclusionsAlthough it is complicated to distinguish between causes and consequences, these findings suggest a complex and multifaceted, association between ED and HRQoL domains. Thus, multiple factors need taking into account in the policy of EDs prevention, identifying all the components of well-being to focus and personalize healthy programs in adolescences.

Sexual, gendered, and internalized racism’s associations with disordered eating among sexual minority Asian American men: Emotional eating as mediator

ABSTRACT Research related to disordered eating among sexual minority Asian American men is scarce. Thus, the present study utilized an intersectional framework to examine how three different forms of racism (i.e. sexual racism, gendered racism, and internalized racism) are associated with disordered eating among sexual minority Asian American men, as well as the mediating role of emotional eating. A cross-sectional survey containing the study’s measures of interest were administered to participants. The final sample consisted of 180 sexual minority Asian American men. Both sexual racism and internalized racism were positively associated with disordered eating whereas gendered racism was not associated with disordered eating Emotional eating mediated the association between internalized racism and disordered eating, though it did not mediate the association between sexual racism and disordered eating. Researchers and practitioners are encouraged to utilize an intersectional framework that takes into account multiple forms of racism, especially sexual racism and internalized racism, when considering this underrepresented population’s disordered eating. Results also demonstrate the importance of addressing racism in eating disorder prevention efforts among sexual minority Asian American men.

A broad range: From simple and brief to intensive single-session interventions: Commentary on Schleider et al. (2023).

To push research and treatment in the field of eating disorders (EDs) forward, we need to not only systematically develop our current knowledge and skills through established procedures for research and clinical practice, but also make room for disruptive innovations and thinking out of the box. The paper by Schleider et al. (2023, International Journal of Eating Disorders) provides a thoughtful invitation to think differently by considering single-session interventions (SSI) for prevention and treatment of EDs. Beyond expanding our intervention tools, SSI may force us to think more mechanistically about the processes of change, and about the format and delivery of our interventions, both for EDs and from a transdiagnostic perspective. In this commentary, we reflect on the possible benefits and implications of SSI, and the necessity of mechanistically driven and rigorous empirical research for developing efficacious SSI.

Relational bullying and disordered eating: Testing a moderated mediation model of the role of shame and self-compassion.

Experiences of relational bullying (RB) in adolescence are associated with the development of disordered eating. This association may be related to heightened shame resulting from perceived social inferiority, low social rank, and/or negative evaluation by others. Self-compassion may act as a protective factor against the influence of RB on shame and disordered eating. In the current study, we investigated whether shame mediated the relationship between recalled RB and current disordered eating in a sample of young adults. Then, using conditional process analysis, we examined whether the observed mediation was moderated by self-compassion. Participants were 359 young adults (aged 17-25) who completed online self-report measures of recalled RB experiences and current disordered eating, shame, and self-compassion. Experiences of RB were positively related to current shame and disordered eating, and negatively related to current self-compassion, with small-to-medium effect sizes. The association between RB and disordered eating was partially mediated by shame, and this mediation was moderated by self-compassion. Our results suggest that young adults with lower self-compassion are more likely to demonstrate a relationship between recalled RB and disordered eating through the mechanism of shame. These findings have important implications for both anti-bullying awareness and eating disorder prevention programs.

Food insecurity and disordered eating behaviors in children and adolescents: A systematic review

This study is the first systematic review to investigate the relationship between food insecurity (FI) and disordered eating behaviors exclusively in children and adolescents. Database searches were conducted in PUBMED, Embase, PsycINFO, ProQuest, and Gale OneFile: Informe Académico using English and Spanish search terms. Studies were included if they were published before August 2022, included youth aged 18 years and below, included either parent- or child-report of food security status, included either parent- or child-report of child disordered eating behaviors, and examined the relationship between food security status and child disordered eating behaviors. Following independent title/abstract and full-text screening, 20 studies were included in the review. There were 13 cross-sectional studies, five longitudinal studies, and two qualitative studies, from the United States (19 studies), and Bangladesh (1 study). Sample sizes ranged from 33 to 6077. Findings generally indicated a relationship between FI and behaviors such as binge eating, loss-of-control eating, eating in the absence of hunger, unhealthy weight control behaviors, and picky eating in children and adolescents, though this association varied depending on the type of disordered eating behavior assessed and FI severity. Results highlight the importance of screening for disordered eating behaviors among youth with FI towards eating disorder prevention and intervention. However, given the limited number of primary research articles examining this relationship in youth, further hypothesis-driven research is needed. In addition, more global representation and additional longitudinal studies are needed to further examine the generalizability and temporality of FI and disordered eating in children and adolescents.

“I am not alone”. A qualitative feasibility study of eating disorders prevention groups for young females with type 1 diabetes

ObjectiveThe overall aim of the current study was to qualitatively explore the feasibility of eating disorder prevention groups for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D).MethodA generic qualitative focus group design was applied. 17 participants accepted the invitation to attend focus group interviews after completing the intervention. Five focus groups were conducted in total.ResultsThe qualitative analysis generated one overarching theme, named the benefit of meeting peers with a lived experience of T1D and body image concerns, and four themes: the need for an integrated focus on diabetes, personal relevance, providing sufficient balance between structure and flexibility and enabling a different perspective.ConclusionResults show overall positive feedback regarding the content and structure of the intervention, and underline the importance of targeting preventive efforts to specific risk groups.

Implementation factors that predict larger effects from a peer educator delivered eating disorder prevention program at universities.

Identify implementation factors, including intervention, facilitator, participant, and college factors, that were associated with larger reductions in eating disorder symptoms for undergraduates who completed a dissonance-based eating disorder prevention program delivered by peer educators in an implementation support trial. The goal was to determine how to maximize the effects of this prevention program in future implementation efforts. We recruited 63 universities with peer educator programs and randomly assigned them to three levels of implementation support for delivery of an evidence-based eating disorder prevention program (the Body Project). The present report investigated whether several intervention, facilitator, participant, and college characteristics were associated with the magnitude of reductions in eating disorder symptoms among 1,387 undergraduates who completed the Body Project. Significantly greater reductions in eating disorder symptoms were found for the four-session versus two-session version of the Body Project (d = -.36), when Body Project groups were delivered virtually versus in-person (d = -.22), when observation-based supervision was provided to peer educators during intervention implementation versus when it was not (d = -.15), and for larger versus smaller universities (d = -.24). Although effects were small, the additive effect was medium (d = -.50). Results suggest that if the goal is to optimize the effects of the Body Project, peer educator programs at universities should implement the full four-session version of the prevention program that contains all of the dissonance-inducing activities and home exercises, implement this prevention program virtually, and provide supervision to facilitators implementing this prevention program. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

A Cross-Sectional Survey of Emotional Intelligence Relating to Binge Eating Disorder in Unemployed Population

Aim: To examine the associations between emotional intelligence (EI) and Binge Eating Disorder (BED) with a mediating role played by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the unemployed population, thus performance in an integrated manner. Study design: A Cross-sectional study Place and duration of Study: Rural and urban areas of Punjab, Pakistan during the months of December 2020-2021 Methodology: For this purpose, Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale, Binge Eating Scale and PTSD Check List–Civilian Version was used to measure EI, BED, and PTSD score, respectively. The assumptions were tested using non-linear regression-based partial least squares path modelling (PLS-SEM). Results: The results revealed that unemployed individuals are at enhanced risk to develop BED. High levels of EI help to cope the stress of unemployment and overcome BED and vice versa. In this study, PTSD, a cause of unemployment, was found to be negatively related to EI and positively related to BED. However, no mediation of PTSD between EI and BED was observed. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that enhanced emotional abilities are directly associated with lower levels of work-related stress and BED. However, a diagnostic study is needed to validate the findings and establish BED diagnosis in individuals with low EI. This study helps in validation of emotional intelligence as a factor in the development of binge eating disorder. It helps in the development of programs based on prevention of binge eating disorder in unemployed population on the basis of emotional intelligence level understanding. Keywords: Unemployment, eating behaviour, emotional stability, stress disorder, mediation analysis

Analysis of Girls Inc.’s Redefining Beauty Curriculum in the Prevention of Eating Disorders

Background: Eating disorders are commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorders in adolescents. Because of the severity of disease and difficulty of treatment, means of prevention are important. Girls Inc. is a national non-profit organization that delivers evidence-based programming for people identifying as girls. Their four-week summer camp includes curriculum for building relationships, economic and media literacy, body image, and self-esteem. Here, the Girls Inc. curriculum “Redefining Beauty” is evaluated for efficacy of changing attitudes and behaviors correlated with development of eating disorders.&#x0D; Methods: Pre-and-post curriculum self-report surveys were administered to 11-14-year-olds (n=28) at the Girls Inc. summer camp. Group C1 consisted of 11-12 year-olds and C2 were 13-14 year-olds. All participants present for the camp the day of surveying were included in the study. Likert scales were used to assess body image and self -esteem. Collins Child Female Scale determined dissonance between current and ideal body image. Data was also collected regarding the use of dieting and exercise to lose weight.&#x0D; Results: No significant differences were found. In a Likert scale question on body satisfaction, there was no significant difference between pre-and post-curriculum answers (X2(t-1.7056, p=0.1036)). Body dissonance was measured to have no significant difference between pre-and post-curriculum answers (Paired t-test(t=0.8467, p=0.4077)). In a question asking if participants have been on a diet, 41.4% answered yes. This data was compared between two groups, and no significant difference was found (X2(z=0.1357, p=0.7125)) . &#x0D; Conclusion: This research can be used to aid Girls Inc. and similar programs in updating or creating eating disorder prevention curriculum. Because research has shown that increasing self-esteem and improving body image leads to decreased risk of developing eating disorders, it is important that curriculum aimed at preventing eating disorders is measured for its success in improving these factors.