A preliminary controlled evaluation of a school-based media literacy program and self-esteem program for reducing eating disorder risk factors.
OBJECTIVE
This study compared the efficacy of a media literacy program and a self-esteem program designed to reduce general and specific risk factors for eating disorders.


METHODS
Four classes of 86 grade 8 students (53 boys and 33 girls), mean age of 13 years, were randomly assigned to either a control condition or one of the two intervention conditions. Assessment of general and specific risk factors was carried out at baseline, postintervention and 3-month follow-up.


RESULTS
At postintervention the media literacy group had lower mean scores on weight concern than the control group (p =0.007) but the self-esteem group did not. There were some differences on self-esteem measures at the 3-month follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Media literacy programs combined with an interactive, student-centered framework may potentially be a safe and effective way of reducing risk factors for eating disorders. The impact of teaching style needs to be further evaluated in prevention research.
Wade
Tracey D
TD
School of Psychology, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia. tracey.wade@flinders.edu.au
Davidson
Susan
S
O'Dea
Jennifer A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D002648:Child; D003479:Curriculum; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D010555:Personality Inventory; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012925:Social Conformity; D013240:Stereotyping