# Tailored online eating disorder prevention and health promotion for women: results of a dissemination trial

## TL;DR

This study tested internet-based eating disorder prevention programs for women and found they reduced weight concerns and improved eating habits.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale dissemination of tailored eating disorder prevention programs.

## Key findings

- Four of five study arms showed significant reductions in weight concerns with effect sizes between d = -0.45 and d = -0.94.
- Eating disorder symptoms decreased and intuitive eating improved across all arms, with some effects lasting up to 12 months.
- Assessment drop-out rates were high, with only 18.0% to 44.0% of participants completing the full intervention.

## Abstract

Internet-based interventions are effective in the prevention of eating disorders (EDs) but are rarely translated from controlled study settings into practice. This study aimed to assess short- and long-term outcomes and adherence of a suite of internet-based screening and ED prevention programs.

In a 5-arm non-randomized dissemination trial, internet-based ED prevention interventions were offered to women recruited from the general population (N = 3,654). Each arm offered a different version of the ED prevention program, tailored for populations at different levels of risk. The interventions comprised 4 to 12 weekly modules based on cognitive-behavioral principles, including psychoeducation, exercises to promote body image and balanced eating, and—if applicable—to reduce ED symptoms. Primary outcome was the change in weight concerns from pre to post, using t-tests and completer data. Secondary outcomes included ED symptoms, eating habits, self-esteem and quality of life.

Pre-post within-subject comparisons in the completer sample showed significant reductions in weight concerns in 4 of 5 study arms (effect sizes between d = -0.45 and d = -0.94). ED symptoms were reduced and the ability to eat intuitively was improved in all study arms, with some effects persisting up to 12 months. Assessment drop-out ranged from 60.6% to 78.1% at post, and between 18.0% and 44.0% of participants completed the whole intervention.

The trial demonstrates the feasibility of reaching different risk groups for prevention with a combined screening and tailored interventions as well as feasibility of larger scale dissemination of the interventions in the general population.

http://www.isrctn.org, identifier ISRCTN13716228.