More than Body Appearance! Improving body image in young women through a functionality-focused intervention combined with psychoeducation: A randomized controlled trial

Objectives: Body dissatisfaction is a public health concern, prevalent among women. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of a 2-week online functionality-focused intervention combined with psychoeducation on improving body image among young women at both high and low risk of Body Image Disorders (BIDs). Design: A randomized controlled trial was conducted among young women at high risk and low risk of developing BIDs. Methods: In total, 231 young women (n = 64 at high risk of BIDs) were randomized into: experimental (n = 113) and waitlist (n = 118) groups. The experimental group underwent the intervention at baseline (T0) for 15 days (T1), while the waitlist group started the intervention at T1 for 15 days (T2). Participants completed questionnaires about body and functionality appreciation, eating disorders (EDs) risk and extreme body dissatisfaction at baseline, 15 days from baseline and 30 days from baseline. Results: Mixed linear models revealed enhancements in body and functionality appreciation post-intervention for women at both high risk and low risk of BIDs. Reductions in EDs risk and body dissatisfaction were observed in participants at high risk. Conclusions: The intervention proves to be useful in promoting a positive body image (i.e. body and functionality appreciation) in women at both high and low risk of BIDs, while the results concerning the risk of developing EDs and extreme body dissatisfaction are more nuanced.