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Primary prevention of eating disorders: Might it do more harm than good?
Author(s) -
Carter Jacqueline C.,
Stewart D. Anne,
Dunn Valerie J.,
Fairburn Christopher G.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-108x(199709)22:2<167::aid-eat8>3.0.co;2-d
Subject(s) - intervention (counseling) , psychology , eating disorders , primary prevention , harm , medicine , psychiatry , social psychology , disease , pathology
Abstract Objective The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate a new school‐based eating disorder prevention program designed to reduce dietary restraint. Method: Forty‐six schoolgirls, aged 13–14 years, took part. The intervention consisted of eight weekly sessions of 45 min duration. A battery of self‐report questionnaires was administered before and after the intervention and 6 months later. Results: Unlike previous prevention studies, there was not only an increase in knowledge at postintervention but there was also a decrease in target behavior and attitudes. However, these effects were short‐lived since they had disappeared 6 months later: indeed, at 6‐month follow‐up there was an increase in dietary restraint compared with baseline. Discussion: These findings suggest that the intervention had been counterproductive since it led to an increase in dietary restraint. They imply that school‐based prevention programs may do more harm than good. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Disord 22: 167–172, 1997.