The Norwegian Healthy Body Image Programme: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled School-based Intervention to Promote Positive Body Image and Prevent Disordered Eating Among Norwegian High School Students

Overview

Journal BMC Psychol

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Psychology

Date 2018 Mar 8

PMID 29510762

Citations 9

Authors

Christine Sundgot-Borgen

Solfrid Bratland-Sanda

Kethe M E Engen

Gunn Pettersen

Oddgeir Friborg

Monica Klungland Torstveit

Elin Kolle

Niva Piran

Jorunn Sundgot-Borgen

Jan H Rosenvinge

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Body dissatisfaction and disordered eating raise the risk for eating disorders. In the prevention of eating disorders, many programmes have proved partly successful in using cognitive techniques to combat such risk factors. However, specific strategies to actively promote a positive body image are rarely used. The present paper outlines a protocol for a programme integrating the promotion of a positive body image and the prevention of disordered eating.

Methods And Design: Using a cluster randomized controlled mixed methods design, 30 high schools and 2481 12th grade students were allocated to the Healthy Body Image programme or to a control condition. The intervention comprised three workshops, each of 90 min with the main themes body image, media literacy, and lifestyle. The intervention was interactive in nature, and were led by trained scientists. The outcome measures include standardized instruments administered pre-post intervention, and at 3 and 12 months follow-ups, respectively. Survey data cover feasibility and implementation issues. Qualitative interviews covers experiential data about students' benefits and satisfaction with the programme.

Discussion: The present study is one of the first in the body image and disordered eating literature that integrates a health promotion and a disease prevention approach, as well as integrating standardized outcome measures and experiential findings. Along with mediator and moderator analyses it is expected that the Healthy Body Image programme may prove its efficacy. If so, plans are made with respect to further dissemination as well as communicating the findings to regional and national decision makers in the education and health care services.

Trial Registration: The study was registered and released at ClinicalTrials.gov 21th August 2016 with the Clinical Trial.gov ID: PRSNCT02901457 . In addition, the study is approved by the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics.

Citing Articles

Protocol of a cluster randomised trial of BodyKind: a school-based body image programme for adolescents.

Mahon C, Hamburger D, Webb J, Yager Z, Howard E, Booth A BMC Public Health. 2023; 23(1):2246.

PMID: 37964252 PMC: 10647142. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17002-x.

The co-creation, initial piloting, and protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial of a coach-led positive body image intervention for girls in sport.

Matheson E, Schneider J, Tinoco A, Gentili C, Silva-Breen H, LaVoi N BMC Public Health. 2023; 23(1):1467.

PMID: 37525161 PMC: 10391850. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16360-w.

Study the Effect of an Innovative Educational Program Promoting Healthy Food Habits on Eating Disorders, Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Body Composition in University Students.

Martinez-Rodriguez A, Vidal-Martinez L, Martinez-Olcina M, Miralles-Amoros L, Sanchez-Saez J, Ramos-Campo D Healthcare (Basel). 2023; 11(7).

PMID: 37046892 PMC: 10094267. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11070965.

Positive body image: a qualitative study on the successful experiences of adolescents, teachers and parents.

Tort-Nasarre G, Pollina-Pocallet M, Ferrer Suquet Y, Ortega Bravo M, Vilafranca Cartagena M, Artigues-Barbera E Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2023; 18(1):2170007.

PMID: 36710436 PMC: 9888451. DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2023.2170007.

The Healthy Body Image Intervention and Reduction in Eating Disorder Symptomatology and Muscle Building Supplement Use in High School Students: A Study of Mediating Factors.

Svantorp-Tveiten K, Ivarsson A, Torstveit M, Sundgot-Borgen C, Mathisen T, Bratland-Sanda S Front Psychol. 2022; 13:803654.

PMID: 35837620 PMC: 9274278. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.803654.

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