EATING DISTURBANCES AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS - EVALUATION OF A SCHOOL-BASED PRIMARY PREVENTION PROGRAM

A school-based program aimed at the primary prevention of eating distu rbances was developed, implemented, and evaluated. The eating disturba nces targeted included unhealthy dieting and binge-eating, which are c ommon among nonclinical populations of adolescent girls. The program w as based on social-cognitive principles for behavioral change, and the goals were to change knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to n utrition and weight control; improve body and self-image; and promote greater self-efficacy in dealing with social pressures regarding exces sive eating and dieting. The baseline population included 341 tenth-gr ade girls from 16 classes at three high schools in Jerusalem. Classes were assigned to intervention or control groups and girls in the forme r participated in a 10-session program. Program effectiveness was eval uated with a quasi-experimental design for 269 girls who were present at follow-up assessments conducted both 6 months and 2 years after pro gram implementation. Results indicated that the program had moderate e ffects on nutrition knowledge and meal patterns and on preventing the onset of unhealthy dieting and bingeing behaviors. The effects were mo st consistent among overweight girls. The results suggest that school- based programs can contribute to primary prevention of eating disturba nces.