Internet-based preventive intervention for reducing eating disorder risk: A randomized controlled trial comparing guided with unguided self-help

Abstract

Student Bodies, an internet-based intervention, has successfully reduced weight/shape concerns and prevented eating disorders in a subset of college-age women at highest risk for an eating disorder. Student Bodies includes an online, guided discussion group; however, the clinical utility of this component is unclear. This study investigated whether the guided discussion group improves program efficacy in reducing weight/shape concerns in women at high risk for an eating disorder. Exploratory analyses examined whether baseline variables predicted who benefitted most. Women with high weight/shape concerns (N = 151) were randomized to Student Bodies with a guided discussion group (n = 74) or no discussion group (n = 77). Regression analyses showed weight/shape concerns were reduced significantly more among guided discussion group than no discussion group participants (p = 0.002; d = 0.52); guided discussion group participants had 67% lower odds of having high-risk weight/shape concerns post-intervention (p = 0.02). There were no differences in binge eating at post-intervention between the two groups, and no moderators emerged as significant. Results suggest the guided discussion group improves the efficacy of Student Bodies in reducing weight/shape concerns in college students at high risk for an eating disorder.

Keywords: Eating disorders; Guided self-help; Internet treatment; Prevention; Randomized controlled trial.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

The authors report no conflict of interests.

Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Figures

Figure 1

Consort Diagram* *See “Intervention” section for information about the online Student Bodies intervention, presented in line with the CORSORT-EHEALTH guidelines for web-based health interventions (Eysenbach, 2011).