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Evaluation of an Upper Elementary School Program to Prevent Body Image, Eating, and Weight Concerns
Author(s) -
Kater Kathy J.,
Rohwer John,
Londre Karen
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of school health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.851
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1746-1561
pISSN - 0022-4391
DOI - 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2002.tb06546.x
Subject(s) - dieting , curriculum , psychology , eating behavior , body weight , developmental psychology , health education , mathematics education , medical education , medicine , pedagogy , public health , weight loss , obesity , nursing
Preparing young students to resist the sociocultural pressures that contribute to body image and eating problems in American culture poses a monumental challenge. This project determined if the 11‐lesson “Healthy Body Image: Teaching Kids to Eat and Love Their Bodies Too!” curriculum would have a positive effect when presented to upper elementary school children. A controlled study with 415 students measured changes from pretest to posttest related to: 1) body image; 2) knowledge about the biology of size, shape, and restricted hunger or dieting; 3) body size prejudice; 4) media awareness; 5) self‐image; and 6) lifestyle behavior. Boys and girls who completed the curriculum showed significant or notable improvement compared to a control group not exposed to the curriculum. Results suggest it is possible to provide children with a knowledge base to use as they face increasing pressures about appearance, weight, and eating in the critical middle school years. (I Sch Health. 2002;72(5):199–204)