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Body Morph: Feasibility Testing of an Interactive CD-ROM to Teach Young Adolescents about Puberty

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The aim of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility of an interactive computer program among 34 sixth and seventh grade children and to assess the potential for knowledge acquisition about puberty. Based on a developmental self-esteem approach to teach children about their bodies, the Body Morph program was designed to maximize the educational experience by: (1) tailoring puberty information to boys or girls, and (2) creating a confidential experience. Preliminary results indicated that students significantly improved their knowledge about puberty after using the program. Satisfaction among boys and girls for this type of educational approach suggests that it is a compelling format from which to learn about puberty.

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Acknowledgments

This research project was funded with the support of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) 1R43DK061269-01A2 to develop an educational computer program to improve body image in middle schoolers.

The authors would like to thank the project consultants, Alison Field, ScD, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, Jennifer O’Dea, PhD, MPH, RD, University of Sydney, AUS, and Carolyn Butterworth, MS, RD, RC, Children's Floating Hospital at New England Medical Center, Waltham, MA. We also thank 360KID, Inc., Newton, MA, the multimedia developers for this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tara M. Cousineau is a clinical health psychologist specializing in the area of interactive health promotion programs in reproductive health across the lifespan. She currently is a Research Scientist and Principal Investigator at Inflexxion, a small business specializing in development of scientifically-based health solutions in Newton, MA. She is the lead investigator on an NIH funded project to develop a multimedia program to promote a positive body image in middle schoolers. She has a private clinical practice focusing on women's health and is an adjunct professor at Northeastern University, Boston, MA, in the Department of Counseling and Applied Educational Psychology. Please address correspondence to Tara M. Cousineau at Inflexxion, Newton, MA, Newton, MA, USA

    Tara M. Cousineau PhD

  2. Counseling and Applied Educational Psychology at Northeastern University, Boston, MA, Associate Director at the Harvard Eating Disorders Center, and a Visiting Scholar at Wesleyan University in CT. Dr. Franko specializes in eating disorder prevention, including the role of both cultural and familial factors in the development of adolescent eating disorders. She is the co-investigator on an NIH funded project to develop a multimedia program to promote a positive body image in middle schoolers, Newton, MA, USA

    Debra L. Franko PhD (Professor)

  3. has a Masters of Science in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and is currently, doctoral candidate at Yale University, School of Public Health. Her research experience spans various epidemiological studies, focusing on the areas of adolescent health, HIV/AIDS, and substance abuse, Newton, MA, USA

    Traci C. Green MSc

  4. is a Project Manager at Inflexxion, Inc., in Newton, MA. She is the coordinator of an NIH funded project to develop a multimedia program to promote a positive body image in middle schoolers. Her clinical experience is with adolescents in residential treatment facilities, Newton, MA, USA

    Meredith Watt MSW

  5. was formerly a Research Coordinator at Inflexxion, Inc., in Netwton, MA, for the body image project. She is currently a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Her research interest focuses on weight concerns in college women, Newton, MA, USA

    Diana Rancourt BA

Authors
  1. Tara M. Cousineau PhD
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  2. Debra L. Franko PhD
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  3. Traci C. Green MSc
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  4. Meredith Watt MSW
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  5. Diana Rancourt BA
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tara M. Cousineau PhD.

Additional information

This research project was funded with the support of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) 1R43DK061269-01A2 to develop an educational computer program to improve body image in middle schoolers.

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Cousineau, T.M., Franko, D.L., Green, T.C. et al. Body Morph: Feasibility Testing of an Interactive CD-ROM to Teach Young Adolescents about Puberty. J Youth Adolescence 35, 1015–1021 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-006-9056-3

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