Pilot feasibility and acceptability trial of BE REAL's BodyKind: A universal school-based body image intervention for adolescents.

Body dissatisfaction is prevalent among adolescents and a primary risk factor for eating disorders, yet there are few body image interventions for older adolescents that support development of positive body image. Therefore, we assessed the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of BodyKind, a four-lesson, mixed gender, teacher-led, school-based curriculum for older adolescents, that combines principles of self-compassion, compassion for others, cognitive dissonance, and social activism to address contemporary adolescent body image concerns (i.e., appearance bias, comparisons on social media) and strengthen positive body image development. The sample contained 147 adolescents, predominantly racial/ethnic minorities (>95%), 54.8% male, 41.5% female and 4.1% gender-minority students aged 15-18 years (M=16.24, SD=.96) from a low-income, inner-city high school in the Midwestern US. Two teachers received training and delivered the curriculum to students. This single arm, mixed methods trial assessed student and teacher acceptability, teacher fidelity and student intervention outcomes. Despite reasonable teacher fidelity, recruitment/attendance rates, post-intervention data loss (35% attrition) limited evaluations of program effectiveness and study feasibility. Important learnings regarding study feasibility will inform optimisation for future school-based trials. Findings demonstrate high acceptability of BodyKind among teachers and adolescents in a lower socioeconomic school setting, and further randomized controlled effectiveness trials are required.

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Guided Self-Help, Text-Messaging Intervention to Promote Positive Body Image of Emerging Adult Women.

The predominant approach of existing eating disorder prevention programs targets risk factors for development; furthermore, burgeoning evidence suggests that promotion of protective factors against eating disorders (e.g., positive body image) is also a worthy avenue for prevention efforts. The present study considered existing literature gaps in the design of an 8-week guided self-help intervention meant to address the risk for disordered eating through the improvement of positive body image and enhancement of current adaptive functioning. The intervention incorporated elements of weight-inclusive health promotion (e.g., Health at Every Size; HAES) alongside positive psychology and third-wave behavioral interventions [e.g., self-compassion, mindful eating, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)] to promote engagement in mindful-self-care. This mixed-methods study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of the text-messaging based intervention in a diverse sample of cisgender college women (N = 30; 30% Black; 30% bisexual) at risk for disordered eating. Results indicated a high level of engagement and satisfaction with the intervention. Proof of concept was preliminarily supported by the observed significant changes in variables of interest (i.e., body appreciation, positive embodiment, mindful self-care, intuitive eating, self-compassion, disordered eating, and body image dissatisfaction) across the intervention. Overall, results of this study suggest that the use of a guided self-help program based in technology which seeks to reduce risk factors for disordered eating while also supporting adaptive functioning may be indicated for emerging adult women. This article will discuss how the present study provides the groundwork for continued development of innovative and remotely accessible interventions which promote positive body image.