The Pride Body Project

"PBP is a 2-session eating disorder prevention program. Each session is 2 hours, and separated by a week. Groups have 4 to 7 participants and are led by a peer and a clinician. This program allows a forum for young men to critique the appearance ideal. These exercises should induce cognitive dissonance, which subsequently lead to a reduction of internalization of the ideal. In session 1, participants: (1) define the ideal body type in the gay community, (2) discuss its origin and perpetration, (3) brainstorm its costs, (4) participate in a verbal challenge where they counter the ideal, and (5) are asked to complete three assignments. In session 2, participants: (1) review homework, (2) engage in role-plays to counter pursuit of the ideal, (3) discuss ways to challenge body talk statements, (4) list ways to resist the pressure to pursue this ideal (body activism), (5) discuss barriers to body activism and how to overcome those barriers, and (6) select an exit activity."

We will use a media advocacy (MA) intervention as an active, time- and attention-matched control. MA is a 2 session, group-based program with co-leaders (1 peer and 1 clinician). The MA content centers on acknowledging and discussing the role the media has on shaping body image ideals. In session 1, there is a discussion on describing the ideal body in the gay community and how the media impacts this ideal. Following this, participants will watch a video on how the media influences body image among gay men, and the consequences of internalizing these messages. In session 2, participants will watch a second video. Next, the group discusses other forms of media (e.g., pornography, social media) and how it impacts body image.