title: School-based peer support groups: a new approach to the prevention of disordered eating.
abstract: The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based peer support group designed to improve body esteem and global self-esteem and to reduce negative eating attitudes and behaviors. A total of 214 girls in grades 7 and 8, 115 of whom were in the control group, completed self-report questionnaires immediately before and following the intervention, and three months later. The findings revealed that participation in the 10-session group, facilitated by public health nurses, led to increases in weight-related esteem and decreases in dieting. The role of peer support groups in the prevention of disordered eating is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Community Health Systems Resource Group, Hospital for Sick Children, Ontario, Canada. gail.mcvey@sickkids.ca
authors.forename: Gail L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: McVey
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lieberman
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Voorberg
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wardrope
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Blackmore