A preliminary controlled evaluation of a school-based media literacy program and self-esteem program for reducing eating disorder risk factors.

OBJECTIVE

This study compared the efficacy of a media literacy program and a self-esteem program designed to reduce general and specific risk factors for eating disorders.

METHOD

Four classes of 86 grade 8 students (53 boys and 33 girls), mean age of 13 years, were randomly assigned to either a control condition or one of the two intervention conditions. Assessment of general and specific risk factors was carried out at baseline, postintervention and 3-month follow-up.

RESULTS

At postintervention the media literacy group had lower mean scores on weight concern than the control group (p =0.007) but the self-esteem group did not. There were some differences on self-esteem measures at the 3-month follow-up.

DISCUSSION

Media literacy programs combined with an interactive, student-centered framework may potentially be a safe and effective way of reducing risk factors for eating disorders. The impact of teaching style needs to be further evaluated in prevention research.