A weight maintenance diet reduced bulimic symptoms in adolescent girls
Q Does a weight maintenance diet reduce bulimic symptoms and negative affect in adolescent girls?
METHODS
Design:
randomised controlled trial.
Allocation:
unclear concealment.
Blinding:
blinded (data collectors and outcome assessors).
Follow up period:
1 year.
Setting:
Austin, Texas, USA.
Participants:
188 girls 14–19 years of age (mean age 16.7 y, 57% white) who had body image concerns were recruited from high schools and a university using direct mailings, flyers, and leaflets.
Intervention:
a healthy weight management intervention (n = 94) or an assessment-only control condition (n = 94). The healthy weight management intervention comprised 3 weekly, 1 hour, small group sessions (6–10 participants) facilitated by a clinical psychologist or graduate student and a research assistant. In session 1, facilitators explained that the intervention would help them to make small permanent lifestyle changes that would allow them to achieve and maintain a healthier body weight (a “healthy” ideal rather than the “thin” ideal). They provided instruction on how to gradually develop a balanced diet and individualise behaviour modification tips to …
