Pilot Testing Virtual Delivery of the Body Project Eating Disorder Prevention Program

Dozens of eating disorder prevention programs have been evaluated, but only the 4-hr Body Project has reduced eating disorder symptoms and future eating disorder onset over 3-4 year follow-up, produced larger reductions in outcomes than credible alternative interventions, been shown to engage the intervention target (valuation of the thin beauty ideal), and produced effects in trials from several independent teams. Although undergraduate peer-educator-led Body Project groups have produced larger reductions in outcomes than an eating disorder education video, an unmoderated Internet-based prevention program, and even clinician-led Body Project groups, it can be logistically difficult to schedule in-person Body Project groups with high school and college students. One solution to this key implementation barrier is to have peer educators deliver Body Project groups virtually over the Internet. A pilot trial in Sweden provided initial evidence that virtually-delivered peer-led Body Project groups produced greater reductions in eating disorder symptoms and future onset of eating disorders than an active expressive-writing intervention. The proposed pilot study will evaluate whether Body Project produces greater reductions in risk factor symptoms, eating disorder symptoms, and future onset of eating disorders in this population.

Participation in the intervention will last four weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to the intervention condition or waitlist-control condition. Assessments will take place at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 6 month follow up. Waitlist control participants will receive the intervention after they complete their post-test assessment.