Evaluation of Two Eating Disorders Prevention Interventions in At-Risk Female Students With Body Dissatisfaction

"The BP intervention offers discussions and exercises to make participants realize the cost of pursuing social ideals valuing thinness. This produces cognitive dissonance, a cognitive discomfort due to a contradiction between speech and beliefs, which motivates to modify one's beliefs. The curriculum includes discussions on techniques of the advertising industry and the unique ideal of beauty promoted worldwide, as well as on the costs of pursuing the thin-ideal. Participants are also challenged to try behaviours they avoid because their appearance bother them. Societal activism actions are also discussed."

The HW intervention allows participants to make personalized changes in their diet and physical activity each week gradually, to aim for a health-ideal rather than a thin-ideal. The intervention is based on small changes, based on behavioural change techniques. Advice is given on what types of changes introduce to promote health, and how to implement changes sustainably. Difficulties are discussed in the group with a problem-solving approach. The last session introduces a long-term view of lifestyle change.