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CompletedNCT03270397Updated Sep 1, 2017

Addressing Body Image Issues While Teaching Academic Course: The Group- Theory and Practice

An interventional study of Academic course "The group- theory and practice" in Self Esteem and Body Image, sponsored by Tel Hai College. Completed at 1 site in Israel. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2017-09-01.

Sponsored by Tel Hai College · Not applicable, Interventional, and Other

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
139
Allocation
Randomized
Sex
All
01

Study summary

MSc. course addressing the issue of body image among nutrition students while delivering the course "The group- theory and practice". A non-randomized controlled trial was conducted between 2014 and 2016 with 135 dietetics' students in Tel Hai Academic College, Israel. Changes in body image and eating disorders features were assessed between course conclusion and baseline among participants within controlled efficacy study.

Read the detailed description

An innovative MSc. course addressing the issue of body image among nutrition students while delivering the course "The group- theory and practice". A non-randomized controlled trial was conducted between 2014 and 2016 with 135 dietetics' students in Tel Hai Academic College, Israel. All stages of the project were compliant with the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed written consent was obtained from all participants in the study. Changes in body image and eating disorders features were assessed between course conclusion and baseline among participants within controlled efficacy study.

The primary task of the described course is four folded:

  1. Explore the theory and practice of key dimensions of groups and group facilitation.
  2. Active participation in body image group
  3. Develop deep understanding of the dynamics and processes through participants' own experience and behavior as it occurs in real time.
  4. Develop ideas about how and what have been learned, that can be applied to their role as nutritionists and group facilitators.

The described course provides an alternative to the traditional psycho-education approach using an experiential and analogize approach during the course sessions. The three parts session starts with 45 minutes of frontal lecture focused on group theories. In the next 45 minutes, half of the students participate in a body image group while the other half serve as outside observers using structured forms. All participants filled the day before structured exercise, which expose them to the main issues that will be discussed and practiced in the group session. In the last 45 minutes, the observers report about their observation and the whole class discuss the group dynamics observed. The course includes 42 hours, 3 hours in each of the 14 sessions.

This model of learning emphasize deep learning of the "participant role" as well as the "facilitator role".

02

Conditions studied

  • Self Esteem
  • Body Image

Keywords

  • Self Esteem
  • Body Image
  • Eating disorders
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
Child (0–17), Adult (18–64), Older adult (65+)
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

  • Must be student enrolled at Tel-Hai Academic College.
  • Must be among first 20 students to sign up for the course.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Non-students.
  • Not among first 20 students to sign up for the course.
04

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
139 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Active participants

    The first 20 students who signed up for the course: "The group- theory and practice" were included. No exclusion criteria were used. Full attendance in the course which includes 13 sessions was mandatory. In each session, students were assigned to different body image tasks that were discussed in the coming session. All students completed a self-report questionnaire at baseline and conclusion of the course.

    Behavioral: Academic course "The group- theory and practice"

  • No intervention
    Controls

    All the other students, that requested to sign up for the course but did not have a place, served as control group. All students completed a self-report questionnaire at baseline and conclusion of the course.

Interventions

  • BehavioralAcademic course "The group- theory and practice"

    Active participation in the course "The group- theory and practice".

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. The Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaire

    The Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaire in (Rosenberg, 1965). It contains 10 items rated on a scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree). The total score is obtained via summation with items 2,5,6,8,9 being scored oppositely. Scores on the RSE have been shown to demonstrate acceptable internal consistency, test-retest reliability over a 2-week period, and convergent validity (Robinson \& Shaver, 1973)

    Time frame: Each participant was be assessed for a total duration of 4 months, measuring a change in rosenberg self esteem scale

  2. The Body Image States Scale (BISS)

    The Body Image States Scale (BISS) (Cash, 2002). Measures persons' evaluative/affective body-image states. It is a six-item scale with acceptably internally consistent. Scoring of the BISS: The measure is the composite mean of the six 9-point items. The measure should be scored so that low scores reflect more negative body image states and high scores reflect more positive states. Prior to taking the mean of the six items, reverse score items 2, 4, and 6.

    Time frame: Each participant was be assessed for a total duration of 4 months, measuring a change in The Body Image States Scale

  3. The Body Shape Questionnaire BSQ-34

    The Body Shape Questionnaire BSQ-34 (BSQ; Cooper et al.,1986), a 34-item self-report measure of body dissatisfaction cognitions and preoccupation, consists of items rated on a frequency scale of one ("never") to six ("always") and yields a range of total scores from 34 to 204.

    Time frame: Each participant was assessed for a total duration of 4 months, measuring a change in The Body Shape Questionnaire BSQ-34

  4. The Eating Disorder Inventory-2

    The Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2) (Garner, 1991). This self-report inventory contains 91 items divided into eleven subscales rated on a 0-4 point scoring system. 3 items are specific to eating disorders and 8 are general psychological scales that while not specific are relevant to eating disorders.

    Time frame: Each participant was assessed for a total duration of 4 months, measuring a change in The Eating Disorder Inventory-2

  5. The Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults

    The Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BES) (Mendelson, Mendelson, \& White, 2001) was used to measure self-evaluation of body appearance. A total score was computed, with higher values indicating more positive body-esteem.

    Time frame: Each participant was assessed for a total duration of 4 months, measuring a change in The Body Esteem Scale

  6. The Body Appreciation Scale

    The Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) (Avalos et al, 2005). A 13 items self-report questionnaire reflecting aspects of positive body image. Items were designed to assess the extent to which women: (a) hold favorable opinions of their bodies, (b) accept their bodies in spite of their weight, body shape, and imperfections, (c) respect their bodies by attending to their body's needs and engaging in healthy behaviors, and (d) protect their body image by rejecting unrealistic images of the thin-ideal prototype portrayed in the media. BAS items are rated along a 5-point scale (i.e., 1 = never, 2 = seldom, 3 = sometimes, 4 = often, 5 = always) and are averaged to obtain an overall body appreciation score. Higher scores reflect greater body appreciation.

    Time frame: Each participant was assessed for a total duration of 4 months, measuring a change in The Body Appreciation Scale

  7. Satisfaction

    Overall satisfaction from course was rated on a scale of 1 to 5

    Time frame: Each participant was assessed at the end of the intervention, for 1 day (while completing questionnaire).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Demographic information

    Demographic information was obtained from each participant at baseline.

    Time frame: Each participant was assessed at baseline, for 1 day (while completing questionnaire).

  2. Personal details: social security number, age, email address

    Personal details were obtained from each participant at baseline.

    Time frame: Each participant was assessed at baseline, for 1 day (while completing questionnaire).

06

Study locations

1 site
  • Tel Hai Academic College
    Kiryat Shmona, 1220800, Israel
07

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

08

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03270397
Lead sponsor
Tel Hai College
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Sep 1, 2017
Start date
Aug 1, 2013
Primary completion
Aug 1, 2016
Completion
Aug 1, 2017
Last update
Sep 1, 2017

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
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