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ERIC Number: EJ793959
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Sep
Pages: 3
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1086-4385
EISSN: N/A
Integrating Eating Disorder and Obesity Prevention Programs for Adolescents
Shaw, Heather; Ng, Janet; Stice, Eric
Prevention Researcher, v14 n3 p18-20 Sep 2007
Increasingly, researchers in the areas of eating disorders and obesity prevention are recognizing the benefits of collaborative efforts aimed at curbing the spectrum of eating-related disturbances. Research suggests that eating disorders and overweight tend to co-occur, and that individuals cross over from one eating-related disturbance to another. A small but growing body of research has already demonstrated that interventions can successfully prevent both eating disordered behaviors and obesity. Accordingly, the authors of this article argue that while there are obstacles to uniting the fields of eating disorders and obesity, it is not necessary to focus on reconciling differences in order to develop successful prevention programs. Rather, more attention should be paid to understanding the shared risk factors for these disorders, delineating successful intervention components, and developing and testing the effectiveness of these interventions. Viewing eating disorders, obesity, and overweight as representing a continuum of eating-related problems suggests the utility of a universal preventive approach that could be delivered to all adolescents school-wide, and potentially to all community members. This article addresses why an integrative approach to preventing eating disturbances represents a good direction for the advancement of both the fields of eating disorder and obesity prevention and why we are perhaps closer to reaching this goal than previously thought. First, advantages of a combined prevention approach will be presented. Next, evidence for shared risk factors and etiologic trajectories for the spectrum of eating disturbances will be discussed. Programs that appear to be promising in preventing a range of eating disturbances will be reviewed. Finally, the research and policy implications of an integrated approach will be addressed.
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Researchers; Policymakers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A