Eating Disorders
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to determine whether a web-based program is effective in reducing the incidence of eating disorders in college women who are at high risk for developing an eating disorder.
Detailed description
Female college students who use unhealthy weight control methods and have body image concerns may be at risk for developing an eating disorder. Developing and evaluating interventions to reduce eating disorders in high-risk populations is of great public health importance. Participants are randomly assigned to either join a web-based risk-reduction program or receive no intervention. The 9-week risk-reduction program focuses on reducing body image and weight/shape concerns, identifying the risks of eating disorders, and increasing healthy weight regulation practices. The program includes weekly readings, writing assignments, and participation in a moderated electronic discussion group. Changes in body mass index (BMI) and the occurrence of major stressors and psychiatric events are assessed to determine their impact on the incidence of eating disorders. One-year incidence of eating disorders is determined by a diagnostic interview, and follow up may continue for up to 2.5 years.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALWeb-based intervention to reduce eating disorder risk factors
Sponsors
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Stanford University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* College students at risk for developing an eating disorder
Exclusion criteria
* Suicidal or other severe psychopathology * Alcohol or drug abuse * Body mass index (BMI) \< 18 or \> 32 * Current diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or bulimia nervosa and have been in treatment within the past 6 months
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Onset of an eating disorder | 2 years | The main outcome is the onset of an eating disorder, as defined by DSM-IV |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in eating disorder behaviors | 2 years | Eating disorder behaviors as measured by the Eating Disorder Examination. We will also measure attitudes related to eating disorder onset risk |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed