Internet-based intervention can prevent eating disorders in at-risk women

US researchers have reported that a brief Internet-based cognitive-behavioural intervention led to sustained reductions in shape and weight concerns in college-age women at high risk for developing eating disorders.Previous research has identified a number of potentially modifiable risk factors for eating disorders, including excessive shape and weight concerns. The results of small short-term studies indicate that Student Bodies, an Internet-based cognitive behavioural intervention incorporating a moderated online discussion group is effective in reducing these particular risk factors.Key aims of the current study were to replicate these findings in a large sample of college women at high risk of developing an eating disorder (n=480) and to evaluate the long-term impact of the intervention on reducing weight and shape concerns in these women.Subjects were aged 18 to 30 years, and had a body mass index (BMI) ≤18 and Core goals of the intervention were to reduce weight and shape concerns, enhance body image, promote healthy weight regulation, reduce binge eating, and to increase knowledge about the risks associated with eating disorders.Subjects were randomised to the intervention group (n=244) or the wait list control group (n=236). Subjects were assessed annually for up to three years using the WCS, the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) drive for thinness and bulimia subscales and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q).The researchers observed significant baseline to post-intervention and baseline to one-year follow-up differences between the intervention and control groups on the scores on the WCS, the global EDE-Q and the EDI drive for thinness subscale.In addition, there was a significant reduction in scores for the intervention group on the EDI bulimia subscale from baseline to post-intervention.During follow-up, 43 subjects became a sub-clinical or clinical eating disorder case, with no overall significant difference in onset of eating disorders between the intervention and control groups.However, participation in the intervention was associated with a decrease in the onset of eating disorders in those with compensatory behaviours (eg, self-induced vomiting, laxative use) and those with elevated baseline BMIs.No subject with a baseline BMI ≤25 who received the intervention developed an eating disorder, compared with 4.7% and 11.9% of controls with a comparable BMI at one year and two years, respectively.Two-year incidence rates were lower in the intervention group compared with the control group in all cohorts at all times.The researchers conclude that overall, their findings suggest that Internet-based interventions can significantly reduce weight and shape concerns for two years among college-age women with high weight and shape concerns.Reference...