Evaluation of a school-based program designed to improve body image satisfaction, global self-esteem, and eating attitudes and behaviors: a replication study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a life-skills promotion program designed to improve body image satisfaction and global self-esteem, while reducing negative eating attitudes and behaviors and feelings of perfectionism, all of which have been identified as predisposing factors to disordered eating.


METHODS
A total of 258 girls with a mean age of 11.8 years (intervention group = 182 and control group = 76) completed questionnaires before, and 1 week after, the six-session school-based program, and again 6 and 12 months later.


RESULTS
The intervention was successful in improving body image satisfaction and global self-esteem and in reducing dieting attitude scores at post intervention only. The gains were not maintained at the 12-month follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The need to assess the influence of health promotion programs on predisposing risk factors, compared with problem-based outcome measures, is discussed.
McVey
Gail L
GL
Community Health Systems Resource Group, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. gail.mcvey@sickkids.ca
Davis
Ron
R
Tweed
Stacey
S
Shaw
Brian F
BF
D000293:Adolescent; D001290:Attitude; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010551:Personality; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires