Implementing an Eating Disorder Prevention Program for Youth in Nova Scotia

Implementing an Eating Disorder Prevention Program for Youth in Nova Scotia

The goal of this study is to evaluate the Body Project, which is an eating disorder prevention program for youth 15-22 years old. The main question it aims to answer is 'Can an eating disorder prevention program, specifically the Body Project, be successfully delivered to youth in Nova Scotia'?

This study will determine the feasibility of implementing the Body Project in Nova Scotia by assessing the following objectives:

1. Acceptability (how well the Body Project is received by, and the extent to which it is perceived as meeting the needs of, youth in Nova Scotia).
2. Demand (the extent to which youth in Nova Scotia are interested in and willing to engage with the program).
3. Integration (the extent to which the Body Project is judged as feasible by the group facilitators).
4. Effectiveness (the extent to which the Body Project reduces eating disorder risk factors in youth in Nova Scotia).

Participants will:

• Attend a total of 4-4.5 hours of Body Project group sessions, which are led by peer mentors.
• Complete outcome measure questionnaires before their first session and after their last session.
• Participate in a focus group with their session group members after their last session.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Self-identify as a girl/woman.
• Be between the ages of 15-22 years old.
• For inclusion in an in-person group, an individual must be currently enrolled as a student at the school where they will participate in sessions.
• For inclusion in a virtual BP group, an individual must live in and/or attend school in Nova Scotia, and have access to a computer (e.g., laptop, desktop computer, cellphone) with internet connection and a webcam that can be used in a private location (if a participant does not have a private location to use when attending sessions, they will be asked to wear headphones).
• Able to complete English computer-based self-report questionnaires (with adequate accommodation, if necessary).
• Provides informed consent (or verbal assent with informed consent provided by parent/guardian).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous participation in the Body Project.