title: Healthy me: A gender-specific program to address body image concerns and risk factors among preadolescents.
abstract: This study evaluated a gender-specific, school-based program to promote positive body image and address risk factors for body dissatisfaction. In total, 652 children aged 8-10 years participated (335 intervention, 317 wait-list control). Children participated in four 60min sessions and a recap session at three months post-intervention. The broad content areas were body image, peer relationships, media awareness, healthy diet, and exercise. The activities and examples for each session were gender specific. The recap session was an overview of the four sessions. Assessment measures were completed at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and after the recap. Boys and girls in the intervention demonstrated higher muscle esteem and vegetable intake at post-intervention, compared to children in the control condition. Boys and girls demonstrated higher body esteem, muscle esteem and fruit and vegetable intake at the recap. Boys in the intervention demonstrated less investment in masculine gender norms at post-intervention and at recap.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health and Ageing, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: Marita.McCabe@acu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Marita P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: McCabe
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health and Ageing, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Connaughton
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health and Ageing, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tatangelo
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mellor
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health and Ageing, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Busija
mesh_terms: D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D012572:School Health Services; D012574:Schools; D012649:Self Concept
keywords: Body esteem; Body image; Healthy eating; Preadolescent; Prevention programs