Testing the efficacy of an eating disorder prevention program.
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.
Baranowski
M J
MJ
Department of Psychology, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland.
Hetherington
M M
MM
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