Efficacy Trial of an Innovative Group Theories and Practices and Body Image Academic Initiative for College Students

Aim: To assess the feasibility and impact of an innovative M.Sc. academic course addressing the issue of body image among nutrition students while delivering the course, entitled “Group Theory and Practice."  Design: A non-randomized controlled trial was conducted between 2014 and 2016 to assess a body image intervention that was nested within an academic course (groups-theories and practices) of thirteen 3 hr sessions. Participants: In total, 72 active students participated in the course, with 67 participants in the control group (mean age=25 years, SD=1.9, 90% females). Methods: The participants completed computerized scales before the course started and immediately after it ended. The following scales were validated for the local language and used for this study: the Rosenberg Self- Esteem questionnaire, Body Image States Scale, Eating Disorders Inventory, Body Appreciation Scale and Body Esteem Scale. Differences between the pre- and post-outcomes were analyzed with the GLM Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance. Results: The results revealed statistically significant improvements in the intervention group compared to the control group in terms of Body Image States Scale (p<0.01, E³2=0.23), the Eating Disorders Inventory subscales asceticism and social insecurity (p<0.01), the Body Appreciation Scale (p=0.007) and the Body Esteem Scale (p<0.05, E³2=0.26) Conclusions: Meaningful teaching of group dynamics, through experiential participation in a nested body image group, is a powerful strategy to create meaningful teachable moments in group dynamics while also challenging well-being risk factors and addressing protective factors.