Healthy Body Image Program Analysis
An example of a more comprehensive program that is effective and cognizant of cost and time is the Healthy Body Image program. The Healthy Body Image program is an “evidence-based screening and intervention platform, enacted via community and online resources” (Jones et al., 2014, p. 351). The Healthy Body Image program consists of four different components: an online screening, online evidence-based preventive intervention for individuals at low and high risk for eating disorders (StayingFit), referral to clinical services for individuals with eating disorders, and in-person community outreach and online culture change intervention delivery (The Whole Image). The overall goal of this program is to reduce the occurrence of eating disorders
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The Healthy Body Image program is particularly distinctive in that it provides screening for eating disorder symptoms and links the screening directly to interventions (Jones et al., 2014). Screening is an especially important aspect of this program as “screening for eating disorders can be a critical component of identifying those struggling and intervening early” (NEDA, 2013, p. 13). The online portion of this prevention program is also particularly noteworthy as studies have shown that students are more likely to be a part of online prevention programs “due to the ease and anonymity inherent in registering and participating” (Atkinson & Wade, 2013, p. 807). According to NEDA (2013), one of the greatest challenges to providing eating disorder services is the stigma preventing student use of services and involvement in prevention programs. The online component of this program eliminates a barrier for students as they can remain anonymous and still take part in the screening, interventions, and clinical referrals. Conversely, the community outreach component of this program provides an opportunity for face-to-face interactions with students at all levels, resident advisors, clinicians, and student affairs members. An added benefit is the “train-the-trainer” approach, which allowed substantial dissemination of the community outreach program, since students conducted these presentations
The Healthy Body Image program is particularly distinctive in that it provides screening for eating disorder symptoms and links the screening directly to interventions (Jones et al., 2014). Screening is an especially important aspect of this program as “screening for eating disorders can be a critical component of identifying those struggling and intervening early” (NEDA, 2013, p. 13). The online portion of this prevention program is also particularly noteworthy as studies have shown that students are more likely to be a part of online prevention programs “due to the ease and anonymity inherent in registering and participating” (Atkinson & Wade, 2013, p. 807). According to NEDA (2013), one of the greatest challenges to providing eating disorder services is the stigma preventing student use of services and involvement in prevention programs. The online component of this program eliminates a barrier for students as they can remain anonymous and still take part in the screening, interventions, and clinical referrals. Conversely, the community outreach component of this program provides an opportunity for face-to-face interactions with students at all levels, resident advisors, clinicians, and student affairs members. An added benefit is the “train-the-trainer” approach, which allowed substantial dissemination of the community outreach program, since students conducted these presentations