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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Study protocol

Preventing eating disorders with an interactive gender-adapted intervention program in schools: Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

Authors: Angelika Weigel, Antje Gumz, Natalie Uhlenbusch, Karl Wegscheider, Georg Romer, Bernd Löwe

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

There are a high number of adolescents who are at risk of developing an eating disorder. There is, therefore, a strong need to implement prevention programs aimed at reducing the incidence of eating disorders at this critical age. Among other factors, successful prevention programs have been shown to be interactive, carried out by professionals, focused on educational as well as psychosocial elements and have taken risk factors as well as resources into account. The objective of this study protocol is to present the design of a new prevention program for eating disorders in schools.

Methods/Design

The gender-adapted prevention program extends over six school hours. It contains interactive and educational elements about eating disorders and their treatment. Participants pass through different exercises and reflect on the influences of the media, self-esteem, body perception and individual resources. A cluster-randomized controlled trial is chosen to evaluate the program. Based on an estimated effect size of d = 0.3 a total of 1848 participants are enrolled in the study. Eating disorder risk, internalization of Western beauty ideals, body dissatisfaction, self-concept as well as anxiety and symptoms of depression are measured before and immediately after the intervention as well as at a six-month follow-up. In addition, the intervention group evaluates the different components of the program.

Discussion

The study intends to test the practicability and efficacy of an interactive, gender-adapted ED prevention program in schools. Moreover, it will provide valuable information about the occurrence of eating disorder risk factors in school-aged children.

Trial registration

ISRCTN97989348; Registered 19 December 2012.
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Metadata
Title
Preventing eating disorders with an interactive gender-adapted intervention program in schools: Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial
Authors
Angelika Weigel
Antje Gumz
Natalie Uhlenbusch
Karl Wegscheider
Georg Romer
Bernd Löwe
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-015-0405-1

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