Effectiveness of an Internet-based program for reducing risk factors for eating disorders.

Abstract

This study evaluated an Internet-delivered computer-assisted health education (CAHE) program designed to improve body satisfaction and reduce weight/shape concerns--concerns that have been shown to be risk factors for the development of eating disorders in young women. Participants were 60 women at a public university randomly assigned to either an intervention or control condition. Intervention participants completed the CAHE program Student Bodies. Measures of body image and disordered eating attitudes were assessed at baseline, postintervention, and 3-month follow-up. At follow-up, intervention participants, compared with controls, reported a significant improvement in body image and a decrease in drive for thinness. This program provides evidence for the feasibility and effectiveness of providing health education by means of the Internet.

Adaptive e-learning to improve dietary behaviour: a systematic review and cost-effectiveness analysis.

“…All four studies used the 'Student Bodies program' 90,91 to deliver the intervention. These studies measured a range of eating disorder outcomes: the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) scales, the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q), and Eating Disorder Examination-Body Dissatisfaction (EDI-BD) subscales.…”

Examination of the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-3 in a mixed-gender young-adolescent sample.

“…Recent meta-analyses have revealed design features of prevention programs that lead to larger effect sizes and one such feature is the use of validated outcome measures of targeted risk factors rather than programs evaluated without such measures (Stice & Shaw, 2004;Stice et al, 2007). The psychometric properties of measures of disordered eating attitudes and behaviours have often been evaluated in young-adult female populations given this demographic is commonly the target of both prevention (e.g., Celio et al, 2000;Winzelberg et al, 2000) and treatment efforts (e.g., Agras, Walsh, Fairburn, Wilson, & Kraemer, 2000;McIntosh et al, 2005). However, prevention programs delivered to younger and in particular, mixed-gender audiences often have far less psychometric data available on which to select valid and reliable outcome measures.…”

Evaluation of an internet support group for women with primary breast cancer

“…27 The evidence for effective web-based breast cancer support groups is limited. However, on-line interventions have been found to be beneficial to patients seeking treatment/help for substance abuse, 38 sexual abuse, 39 smoking cessation, 40 general medical concerns, 7 parenting concerns, 41,42 eating disorders, [43][44][45] and anxiety. 46 The current study provides empiric evidence regarding the psychologic benefits of on-line breast cancer support groups, particularly asynchronous support groups.…”