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Internet-Delivered Targeted Group Intervention for Body Dissatisfaction and Disordered Eating in Adolescent Girls: A randomized controlled trial

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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.

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Acknowledgements

We appreciate grant support from the Myer Foundation and the Telstra Foundation Community Development Fund provided to Susan Paxton for this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychological Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, 3086, Australia

    Brooke E. Heinicke, Susan J. Paxton, Siân A. McLean & Eleanor H. Wertheim

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  1. Brooke E. Heinicke
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  2. Susan J. Paxton
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  3. Siân A. McLean
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  4. Eleanor H. Wertheim
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Correspondence to Susan J. Paxton.

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Heinicke, B.E., Paxton, S.J., McLean, S.A. et al. Internet-Delivered Targeted Group Intervention for Body Dissatisfaction and Disordered Eating in Adolescent Girls: A randomized controlled trial. J Abnorm Child Psychol 35, 379–391 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-006-9097-9

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