| The My
Body, My Life Program is an eight-week internet-based
group program for 12-18 year old girls with a range of body image
concerns, or unhealthy eating behaviours. The program is part of
a research project being undertaken by Hannah Hoile and Professor
Susan Paxton from the School of Psychological Science, La Trobe
University. The program is generously supported by La Trobe University
Central.
Research in this area indicates that
body image and eating issues are important concerns for adolescent
girls and that multimedia technology may be an effective way of
reducing these types of concerns. Our internet-based, on-line interactive
group program can provide a non-threatening, immediate feedback
environment where girls can raise issues that are concerning them
and gain a sense of control over their body image and eating. It
can also cater for individuals that may live in remote and rural
areas where face-to-face programs may not be available.
Body concerns and unhealthy eating
Many adolescent girls feel unhappy about
their body shape or weight and some may be binge eating or using
unhealthy weight loss strategies, such as crash dieting and/or excessive
exercise to lose weight. If not addressed early, sometimes these
concerns can become more serious problems.
Feeling dissatisfied with your body can cause a lot of problems.
Not only can it predict the later development of unhealthy eating
behaviours, which are motivated by attempts to change body weight
or shape, but it can also contribute to low self-esteem, social
anxiety and depression. Body dissatisfaction has also been linked
with both the development and maintenance of bulimia nervosa.
Preliminary results show that the program
significantly improves body satisfaction and disturbed eating behaviours
in adolescent girls, such as dietary restraint and the use of extreme
weight loss behaviours. In addition, significant improvements in
self-esteem, depression and body comparison have been observed.
All changes are maintained at two month follow-up and in some instances,
further improvements have been achieved.
The main aim of the
My Body, My Life Program is to reduce body dissatisfaction and eating
problems in girls, ultimately helping them to feel happier and less
preoccupied with their bodies and appearance. Some comments from
girls who have completed My Body,
My Life:
I
really liked how we could just talk about the way we feel.
I
really liked the manual and how it had information about our behaviour
and thinking. I liked the way it gave us other ways of looking
at things.
I
don’t put myself down nearly as much… I’m smiling
heaps more and feel better about myself and who I am…I am
happy with myself and don’t want to change.
Being
able to talk about your problems with people who are going through
the same thing helped me realize that there is help…and
it got me through.
The
program has helped me in many ways…it has helped me to eat
differently and not worry about what I look like. It would be
great for all girls with eating or image problems.
I
think it’s a great idea because way too many girls have
these problems and the internet is the perfect place to have discussions
and get help.
I
loved the weekly group sessions as I could openly discuss my problems
and help the other girls with some of their problems
The
program was very good…it helped me a lot. I eat really well
now and I am more confident. I am a different person now. Thank
you!
The
program has benefited me mainly mentally. I enjoyed it heaps and
can’t wait for our follow-up session!
The
group sessions were fantastic because they allowed us to discuss
our problems and find other people who have gone through the same
or similar situations.
For further details about
the My Body, My Life Program and information about how
to become involved in the program please go to Program
Details. |
