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School‐based eating disorder prevention: a pilot effectiveness trial of teacher‐delivered M edia S mart
Author(s) -
Wilksch Simon M.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
early intervention in psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.087
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1751-7893
pISSN - 1751-7885
DOI - 10.1111/eip.12070
Subject(s) - randomized controlled trial , feeling , psychology , trial registration , medicine , clinical psychology , physical therapy , social psychology
Aim This pilot study tested teacher‐delivered M edia S mart , a school‐based eating disorder prevention program that has achieved significant benefits when delivered by health professionals. Method Two Grade 7 classes ( N = 51; M age = 12.43 years) participated, with one randomly allocated to M edia S mart ( n = 27; 67% girls) and the other to a control condition of usual lessons ( n = 24; 37% girls). Program feasibility was assessed by teacher self‐report, whereas student self‐report of shape and weight concern (primary outcome variable) and seven additional risk factors were measured at baseline, post‐program and 6‐month follow up. Results Teacher ratings of program feasibility revealed that 25 of the 29 (86.2%) program activities were taught with 96% of activities rated as either highly (19 activities) or moderately (5 activities) valuable for students. Mixed model analyses were conducted using a 2 (group: M edia S mart, control) × 2 (time: post‐program, 6‐month follow up) × 2 (gender: girls, boys) design, with baseline scores as a covariate. A not‐significant trend for group favouring M edia S mart was observed for shape and weight concern ( C ohen's d effect size [ d ] = 0.32), whereas significant effects were found for feelings of ineffectiveness ( d = 0.52) and weight‐related peer teasing ( d = 0.68). Conclusions The program was feasible for teacher delivery and showed some promising results, supporting a more substantial randomized‐controlled effectiveness trial.