AN ATTEMPT TO MODIFY UNHEALTHFUL EATING ATTITUDES AND WEIGHT REGULATION PRACTICES OF YOUNG ADOLESCENT GIRLS

This is the first long-term, controlled study evaluating the effective ness of a prevention curriculum designed to modify the eating attitude s and unhealthful weight regulation practices of young adolescent girl s. Nine hundred sixty-seven sixth and seventh-grade girls were randomi zed to experimental healthy weight regulation curriculum or no-treatme nt control classes. A prevention intervention was developed around thr ee principal components: (1) Instruction on the harmful effects of unh ealthful weight regulation; (2) promotion of healthful weight regulati on through the practice of sound nutrition and dietary principles and regular aerobic physical activity; (3) development of coping skills fo r resisting the diverse sociocultural influences that appear linked to the current popular obsessions with thinness and dieting. The interve ntion failed to achieve the hoped-for impact. We did observe a signifi cant increase in knowledge among girls receiving the intervention and among high-risk students only, there was a small albeit statistically significant effect on body mass index. These findings question the wis dom of providing a curriculum directed at all young adolescents, most of whom are not at risk to develop an eating disorder. Rather than tar geting the entire population, a healthy weight curriculum designed to modify the eating attitudes and unhealthful weight regulation practice s of young adolescent girls might better focus on ''at risk'' students .