title: Internet-delivered targeted group intervention for body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in adolescent girls: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: This study evaluated a targeted intervention designed to alleviate body image and eating problems in adolescent girls that was delivered over the internet so as to increase access to the program. The program consisted of six, 90-minute weekly small group, synchronous on-line sessions and was facilitated by a therapist and manual. Participants were 73 girls (mean age=14.4 years, SD=1.48) who self-identified as having body image or eating problems and were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=36) (assessed at baseline, post-intervention and at 2- and 6-months follow-up) or a delayed treatment control group (n=37) (assessed at baseline and 6-7 weeks later). Clinically significant improvements in body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and depression were observed at post-intervention and maintained at follow-up. Internet delivery was enthusiastically endorsed. The program offers a promising approach to improve body image and eating problems that also addresses geographic access problems.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne 3086, Australia.
authors.forename: Brooke E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Heinicke
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Paxton
authors.forename: Siân A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: McLean
authors.forename: Eleanor H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Wertheim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D035061:Control Groups; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010555:Personality Inventory; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000379:methods*; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome