Body Shape Concern, Eating Disorder Risk
Conditions
Keywords
Female college students, Disordered eating, Body image, Body image flexibility, Embodied movement, Acceptance and commitment therapy, Functionality appreciation
Brief summary
This study evaluated whether an acceptance-based embodied movement program can reduce eating disorder risk and body shape concerns in female college students at elevated risk. A total of 135 female undergraduate and graduate students were randomly assigned to one of three groups: acceptance-based embodied movement, functional fitness control, or psychoeducation. The intervention lasted 8 weeks, and outcomes were assessed at baseline, week 4, week 8, and 3-month follow-up. The main outcomes were eating disorder risk and body shape concern. Secondary outcomes included depression, anxiety, body image flexibility, functionality appreciation, and body surveillance.
Detailed description
This was a single-blind, three-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial conducted among female college students at elevated risk of eating disorders or body shape concerns. Participants were recruited from Jinan University and randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to acceptance-based embodied movement, functional fitness control, or psychoeducation. The acceptance-based embodied movement program used low-impact mindful movements derived from yoga and tai chi and incorporated acceptance and commitment therapy techniques. The program emphasized present-moment body sensations, acceptance of appearance-related thoughts and feelings, cognitive defusion, valued action, and appreciation of body functionality. The functional fitness control program matched the movement intervention in session duration, frequency, and contact time, but removed mindfulness and acceptance components. It included aerobic and core exercises with standard fitness instruction. The psychoeducation program provided cognitive and dissonance-based body image education without physical activity. All three programs lasted 8 weeks and were delivered in groups by trained facilitators using written manuals. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. The primary outcomes were eating disorder risk measured by the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire Short Form and body shape concern measured by the Body Shape Questionnaire-8C. Secondary outcomes included depression, anxiety, body image flexibility, functionality appreciation, and body surveillance. Attendance, intervention fidelity, and adverse events were monitored throughout the study.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALAcceptance-Based Embodied Movement
An 8-week group-based embodied movement program using low-impact mindful movements derived from yoga and tai chi. The program incorporated acceptance and commitment therapy techniques, including present-moment body awareness, acceptance of appearance-related thoughts and feelings, cognitive defusion, valued action, and appreciation of body functionality.
BEHAVIORALFunctional Fitness Control
An 8-week group-based functional fitness program matched to the embodied movement program in session duration, frequency, and contact time. The program included aerobic and core exercises with standard fitness instruction and did not include mindfulness, acceptance, or body-image-focused guidance.
BEHAVIORALPsychoeducation
An 8-week group-based psychoeducation program without physical activity. The program provided cognitive and dissonance-based body image education, including critical discussion of idealized media images, appearance-focused talk, and body-related self-esteem.
Sponsors
Jinan University Guangzhou
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Outcome assessors and data analysts were masked to group assignment. Participants were not informed of the study hypotheses or the content of the other groups, but they could not be fully masked to their own group because the intervention activities differed.
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three parallel groups: acceptance-based embodied movement, functional fitness control, or psychoeducation. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, week 4, week 8, and 3-month follow-up.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Female undergraduate or graduate students. * Aged 18 to 25 years. * Elevated eating disorder risk or body shape concern based on the prespecified screening threshold. * Physically able to participate in light-intensity physical activity. * Provided written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* Current treatment for an eating disorder. * Any physical condition contraindicating participation in exercise. * Pregnancy. * Concurrent participation in another structured body image or exercise program.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Eating Disorder Risk | Baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 20 follow-up | Eating disorder risk was measured using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire Short Form (EDE-QS). Higher scores indicate greater eating disorder risk. |
| Body Shape Concern | Baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 20 follow-up | Body shape concern was measured using the 8-item Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-8C). Higher scores indicate greater body shape concern. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Depressive Symptoms | Baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 20 follow-up | Depressive symptoms were measured using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Higher scores indicate more severe depressive symptoms. |
| Anxiety Symptoms | Baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 20 follow-up | Anxiety symptoms were measured using the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7). Higher scores indicate more severe anxiety symptoms. |
| Body Image Flexibility | Baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 20 follow-up | Body image flexibility was measured using the Body Image Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (BI-AAQ). Higher scores indicate greater body image flexibility. |
| Functionality Appreciation | Baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 20 follow-up | Functionality appreciation was measured using the Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS). Higher scores indicate greater appreciation of body functionality. |
Countries
China
Outcome results
None listed