Body image education as a preventive measure for eating disorders and obesity in ninth-grade students
by Keith, Diana K., M.S., UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY, 2010, 129 pages; 1482388

Abstract:

Obesity and eating disorders are major public health problems in the U.S. Prevention of these problems in childhood and adolescence is crucial to avoid medical complications and costs associated with these conditions. A growing body of research supports designing and implementing interventions to prevent obesity and eating disorders simultaneously by targeting common risk factors such as poor body image. This study explored the use of a body image education unit as a preventive measure for obesity and eating disorders. Ninth-grade students attending health class in a public school in Northern Utah (n = 117) were assigned to either an intervention or control group. At the end of a 3-week nutrition unit, the intervention group received a 3-day intervention designed to promote body image. Participants were surveyed at baseline, immediately following the nutrition unit and intervention, and at a 2-month follow-up. At post-test and follow-up, participants in the intervention group and the control group both self-reported improved body image and dietary practices. Modest improvements were seen in both the intervention and control groups. The intervention group did not have any advantage over the control group. It is recommended that future interventions be of greater intensity and longer duration in order to assess use of body image education to improve body image and dietary constructs. Interventions will have the greatest effect sizes if they target high risk individuals. Universal interventions targeting entire schools and communities are also recommended to help change environmental risk factors and reduce risk in those who may be at high risk but would not be included in a high risk grouping for a targeted intervention.

 
AdviserHeidi J. Wengreen
SchoolUTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
SourceMAI/ 49-02, p. , Nov 2010
Source TypeThesis
SubjectsNutrition; Health education
Publication Number1482388
Adobe PDF Access the complete dissertation:
 

» Find an electronic copy at your library.
  Use the link below to access a full citation record of this graduate work:
  http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl%3furl_ver=Z39.88-2004%26res_dat=xri:pqdiss%26rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation%26rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:1482388
  If your library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database, you may be entitled to a free electronic version of this graduate work. If not, you will have the option to purchase one, and access a 24 page preview for free (if available).

About ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
With over 2.3 million records, the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database is the most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses in the world. It is the database of record for graduate research.

The database includes citations of graduate works ranging from the first U.S. dissertation, accepted in 1861, to those accepted as recently as last semester. Of the 2.3 million graduate works included in the database, ProQuest offers more than 1.9 million in full text formats. Of those, over 860,000 are available in PDF format. More than 60,000 dissertations and theses are added to the database each year.

If you have questions, please feel free to visit the ProQuest Web site - http://www.proquest.com - or call ProQuest Hotline Customer Support at 1-800-521-3042.