Reducing eating disorders risk in Turkish female university students using cognitive behavioural theory: A randomized controlled feasibility trial

Abstract

No prevention program targeting female university students at risk for eating disorders (EDs) is currently available in Turkey. Accordingly, this study investigated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a new cognitive behavioural theory based prevention program designed to reduce the risk of developing EDs. 38 female university students who were randomised to either to 6 sessions Healthy Eating Attitudes and Behaviours Group Program (experimental condition) or one of the two control conditions (single session workshop vs. wait-list) participated in the study. EDs symptoms and risk factors were measured at baseline, post-assessment, and 1-month follow-up. Feasibility and acceptability were measured with a feedback form at the post-assessment time point. The experimental condition resulted in significantly higher reductions in EDs behaviours, body dissatisfaction, emotion regulation difficulties and internalization of thin/low body fat ideal with the high level of effect size compared with control conditions. The attendance rate and satisfaction with the program were high. Preliminary data suggested that the Healthy Eating Attitudes and Behaviours Group Program is feasible and acceptable, and appears promising in reducing EDs symptoms and risk factors in Turkish female university students. Findings also provided the groundwork for future clinical trials aiming to reduce EDs risk in this population. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.