Life Smart: a pilot study of a school-based program to reduce the risk of both eating disorders and obesity in young adolescent girls and boys. 2013

Simon M Wilksch, and Tracey D Wade
School of Psychology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, 5001 South Australia, Australia. simon.wilksch@flinders.edu.au.

OBJECTIVE To develop and pilot Life Smart, an eight-lesson program aimed at reducing risk factors for both eating disorders and obesity. METHODS Grade 7 girls and boys (N = 115) from one independent school were randomly allocated to the Life Smart (two classes; N = 51) or control (three usual classes; N = 64) conditions. Risk factors were measured at baseline and post-program (5 weeks later). RESULTS Life Smart was rated as moderately enjoyable and valuable by participants. ANCOVAs with baseline as a covariate revealed a significant main effect for group favoring Life Smart for shape and weight concern (Effect Size [ES] = .54), with post-hoc testing finding girls particularly benefited on this variable (ES = .78). CONCLUSIONS Feedback was generally favorable, with some suggestions for even more interactive content. The program showed more promise with girls. Informed by these findings, the program underwent revisions and is now being evaluated in a randomized controlled trial.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009765 Obesity A status with BODY WEIGHT that is grossly above the recommended standards, usually due to accumulation of excess FATS in the body. The standards may vary with age, sex, genetic or cultural background. In the BODY MASS INDEX, a BMI greater than 30.0 kg/m2 is considered obese, and a BMI greater than 40.0 kg/m2 is considered morbidly obese (MORBID OBESITY).
D010865 Pilot Projects Small-scale tests of methods and procedures to be used on a larger scale if the pilot study demonstrates that these methods and procedures can work. Pilot Studies,Pilot Study,Pilot Project,Project, Pilot,Projects, Pilot,Studies, Pilot,Study, Pilot
D005260 Female Females
D006293 Health Promotion Encouraging consumer behaviors most likely to optimize health potentials (physical and psychosocial) through health information, preventive programs, and access to medical care. Health Campaigns,Promotion of Health,Wellness Programs,Promotional Items,Campaign, Health,Campaigns, Health,Health Campaign,Health Promotions,Item, Promotional,Items, Promotional,Program, Wellness,Programs, Wellness,Promotion, Health,Promotional Item,Promotions, Health,Wellness Program
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D001068 Feeding and Eating Disorders A group of disorders characterized by physiological and psychological disturbances in appetite or food intake. Appetite Disorders,Eating Disorders,Eating and Feeding Disorders,Feeding Disorders,Appetite Disorder,Disorder, Eating,Disorder, Feeding,Disorders, Eating,Disorders, Feeding,Eating Disorder,Feeding Disorder
D012307 Risk Factors An aspect of personal behavior or lifestyle, environmental exposure, inborn or inherited characteristic, which, based on epidemiological evidence, is known to be associated with a health-related condition considered important to prevent. Health Correlates,Risk Factor Scores,Risk Scores,Social Risk Factors,Population at Risk,Populations at Risk,Correlates, Health,Factor, Risk,Factor, Social Risk,Factors, Social Risk,Risk Factor,Risk Factor Score,Risk Factor, Social,Risk Factors, Social,Risk Score,Score, Risk,Score, Risk Factor,Social Risk Factor
D012572 School Health Services Preventive health services provided for students. It excludes college or university students. Health Services, School,School Health Promotion,School-Based Health Services,School-Based Services,Services, School Health,Health Promotion, School,Health Promotions, School,Health Service, School,Health Service, School-Based,Health Services, School-Based,Promotion, School Health,Promotions, School Health,School Based Health Services,School Based Services,School Health Promotions,School Health Service,School-Based Health Service,School-Based Service,Service, School Health,Service, School-Based,Service, School-Based Health,Services, School-Based,Services, School-Based Health

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