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Evaluating a body image school-based intervention in India: A randomized controlled trial

Lewis-Smith, Helena; Garbett, Kirsty; Chaudhry, Anshula; Dhillon, Megha; Shroff, Hemal; White, Paul; Diedrichs, Phillippa

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Authors

Anshula Chaudhry

Megha Dhillon

Hemal Shroff

Paul White Paul.White@uwe.ac.uk
Professor in Applied Statistics



Abstract

Body dissatisfaction is highly prevalent among adolescents in low- and middle- income countries, including in India. However, evidence-based interventions are lacking. This study evaluated the efficacy of a school-based mixed-gender body image intervention among adolescents in India. A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 568 (43 % girls) Year 7 students (aged 11–14; 94 % aged 12–13) in six schools in Delhi. Each school was randomly allocated to receive five 45-minute intervention sessions delivered by trained psychologists or a wait-list control condition. The primary outcome of body image and related secondary outcomes were assessed at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. Intention-to-treat linear mixed models analyses showed improvements in body image relative to the control group at post-intervention and 3-month follow-up. Significant improvements were identified at post-intervention for internalization, life disengagement, disordered eating, self-esteem, and negative affect, with effects maintained in nearly all outcomes (girls only - internalization, boys only - life disengagement) at 3-month follow-up. This study presents the first mixed-gender school-based body image intervention in India, which was efficacious in improving urban adolescents’ body image, disordered eating, and related outcomes.

Citation

Lewis-Smith, H., Garbett, K., Chaudhry, A., Dhillon, M., Shroff, H., White, P., & Diedrichs, P. (2023). Evaluating a body image school-based intervention in India: A randomized controlled trial. Body Image, 44, 148-156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.12.006

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 14, 2022
Online Publication Date Jan 4, 2023
Publication Date Mar 1, 2023
Deposit Date Dec 15, 2022
Publicly Available Date Jan 9, 2023
Journal Body Image
Print ISSN 1740-1445
Electronic ISSN 1873-6807
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 44
Pages 148-156
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.12.006
Keywords Body Image; India; Adolescents; School; Intervention; Randomized Controlled Trial
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10254539

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