The goal of this workshop is to train clinicians to deliver an empirically supported dissonance-based body acceptance/eating disorder prevention program (the Body Project). The Body Project, which is delivered in 4 1-hour group sessions, has been shown to reduce body dissatisfaction, eating disorder symptoms, and future onset of eating disorders compared to control conditions and alternative interventions in randomized trials from multiple teams. It has produced a 62% reduction in future onset of eating disorders over 2- to 4-year follow-ups on average. It is the only prevention program to reduce future onset of eating disorders in multiple trials and to affect objective biological outcomes (e.g., reducing brain reward region response to the thin ideal, positive implicit attitudes toward the thin ideal, and attentional bias for the thin ideal). In this intervention participants engage in verbal, written, and behavioral exercises in which they collectively explore costs of pursuing the thin appearance ideal. First, the evidence-base for the Body Project will be presented, including results from randomized prevention trials and meta-analytic reviews that identified implementation factors that maximize the prevention effects. Second, the theoretical rationale for using dissonance-induction for health promotion will be provided and the rationale behind each activity reviewed. Third, tips for implementing groups will be presented. Fourth, we will conduct a mock Body Project group with conference attendees in which 2 attendees will practice implementing this intervention to a cohort of 6 additional attendees. Dr. Stice will provide live supervision so that attendees can learn how to deliver the Body Project and how to train other individuals to implement the Body Project. Finally, logistic issues regarding recruiting individuals for Body Project groups and implementing this prevention program will be discussed.
Outline for Body Project Workshop: I. Significance of Eating Disorders a. Prevalence and impact of eating disorders II. Evidence-base for the Body Project eating disorder prevention program a. Results from efficacy trial and effectiveness trials b. Independent replication c. Evidence of target engagement d. Implementation factors that maximize clinical impact e. Efficacy boundaries III. Review the elements of the Body Project a. Theoretical rationale for using dissonance-induction b. Rationale behind each in session activity and home exercise c. Tips for facilitating Body Project groups IV. Conduct a mock Body Project group with conference attendees a. Two attendees will practice implementing the sessions with a 6 additional attendees V. Logistics of implementing Body Project groups a. Recruitment b. Implementing groups at scale
Learning Objectives:
Summarize key elements of the evidence-base for the Body Project.
Articulate the theoretical rational for the Body Project and the use of dissonance-induction for health promotion.
Facilitate Body Project groups on their own and train others to implement the Body Project in the future.
Explain how to best offer Body Project groups locally.
