Effects of a cognitive dissonance‐based eating disorder prevention program are similar for Asian American, Hispanic, and White participants

Objective: This study explored the effects of participating in a dissonance‐based eating disorder prevention program on changes in thin ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, and eating symptoms among White, Asian American, and Hispanic participants. Method: Participants were ( n = 394), 13 to 20‐year‐old adolescent girls and young women who reported being White ( n = 311), Hispanic/Latina ( n = 61), or Asian‐American/Hawaiian/Pacific Islander ( n = 33). The current study used data drawn from the pre‐ and post assessments of an efficacy trial and an effectiveness trial of this eating disorder prevention program. Results: The intervention reduced disordered eating behaviors and eating disorder risk factors for all three ethnic groups at post‐intervention assessment; there was no evidence of significantly stronger effects in any particular ethnic group. Conclusion: Results suggest that a cognitive dissonance‐based prevention program for eating disorders may be equally effective for Asian American, Hispanic, and White adolescent women. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2008