title: Testing the efficacy of an eating disorder prevention program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The efficacy of an eating disorder prevention program was tested in a group of preadolescent females. Improvements in self-esteem and eating behavior were predicted relative to a control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two interventions lasting 5 weeks were designed and then administered to two groups of preadolescent females. Self-esteem, body esteem, dietary restraint, and eating pathology were measured before, immediately, and 6 months following an eating disorders prevention program (n = 16) and a similarly designed control program (n = 13) focusing on fruit and vegetable intake.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dietary restraint in both groups decreased following the interventions. Self-esteem improved in the experimental group, but this was only marginally significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Eating disorder prevention programs may be most effective when targeted at older, more at-risk girls. However, encouraging healthy eating in both groups of preadolescent girls reduced dietary restraint, which may be an important step in the prevention of later eating disorders.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland.
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Baranowski
authors: M M
authors: MM
authors: Hetherington
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome