An interactive, Internet-based program for prevention of eating disorders based on optimization of protective factors

Eating disorders (EDs) are common conditions that cause significant suffering, reduction in functioning and deterioration in quality of life.

The need for efficient preventive interventions against EDs are huge, as the majority of the patients do not seek treatment, and only half of those who receive treatment recover fully. Consequently, EDs tend to have an enduring course.

The target of efficient prevention programs has been to reduce risk specific factors for EDs (e.g., internalization of the thin ideal), but they have been difficult to implement on a broad basis to make a notable impact on public health. It has proven difficult to scale up these interventions due to the resources needed for adequate implementation.

Recent research has shown that optimization of protective factors (e.g., intuitive eating, appreciation of what we can do with our bodies, or self-compassion) might be a viable option and easier to implement on a large scale.

The aim of the current project is to evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of such an interactive prevention program in a randomized controlled trial, and to investigate the mechanisms of change in the intervention.The innovative aspects of this project are 1) notable focus on optimizing protective factors, instead of only reducing risk factors (e.g., body dissatisfaction), 2) targeting at-risk-groups instead of universal prevention, 3) interactive program instead of standard psychoeducation, 4) possibility of including individuals of all genders and the minority groups, 5) recruitment of participants through social media, and 6) delivery of the intervention through Internet to make it flexible, and to make later large-scale implementation possible.Focus on protective factors has also the benefit of lower potential stigma for participation in prevention, despite recruiting an at-risk-group.In a randomized controlled trial, we recruit 644 participant aged 15-20-years who will receive either the prevention program (one hour per week across four weeks), or a placebo condition (Expressive Writing).

In addition to the outcome after the intervention, and at follow-ups (six-, and 12-months post intervention) and cost-effectiveness will be investigated.

Mediators and moderators of outcome as well as the reach of the program, risk for stigma, and possibility of spreading the program on a large-scale though collaborative projects in social media channels will also be investigated.