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

Simon Wilksch; Tracey Wade

doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jst036

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

Simon Wilksch, Tracey Wade

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1021-1029
Number of pages	9
Journal	Journal of Pediatric Psychology
Volume	38
Issue number	9
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jst036
Publication status	Published - Oct 2013

Keywords

eating disorders
obesity
prevention
risk factors

Access to Document

10.1093/jpepsy/jst036

Cite this

@article{3572912d7e254c78a347483d96f1c6c6,

title = "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",

abstract = "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.",

keywords = "eating disorders, obesity, prevention, risk factors",

author = "Simon Wilksch and Tracey Wade",

year = "2013",

month = oct,

doi = "10.1093/jpepsy/jst036",

language = "English",

volume = "38",

pages = "1021--1029",

journal = "Journal of Pediatric Psychology",

issn = "0146-8693",

number = "9",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - 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

AU - Wilksch, Simon

AU - Wade, Tracey

PY - 2013/10

Y1 - 2013/10

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - eating disorders

KW - obesity

KW - prevention

KW - risk factors

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84885058909&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1093/jpepsy/jst036

DO - 10.1093/jpepsy/jst036

M3 - Article

VL - 38

SP - 1021

EP - 1029

JO - Journal of Pediatric Psychology

JF - Journal of Pediatric Psychology

SN - 0146-8693

IS - 9

ER -

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

Abstract

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this