Clinical trial NCT03270397: Addressing Body Image Issues While Teaching Academic Course: The Group- Theory and Practice
Official title: Addressing Body Image Issues While Teaching Academic Course: Efficacy Trial of Innovative Academic Initiative
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Self Esteem
Body Image
Keywords: Self Esteem
Body Image
Eating disorders
Lead sponsor: Tel Hai College
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2017-09-01
Enrollment: 139
Sex: ALL
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: OTHER

Brief 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.

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".

Eligibility criteria: 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:

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

Primary outcomes:
measure: The Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaire
timeFrame: Each participant was be assessed for a total duration of 4 months, measuring a change in rosenberg self esteem scale
measure: The Body Image States Scale (BISS)
timeFrame: Each participant was be assessed for a total duration of 4 months, measuring a change in The Body Image States Scale
measure: The Body Shape Questionnaire BSQ-34
timeFrame: Each participant was assessed for a total duration of 4 months, measuring a change in The Body Shape Questionnaire BSQ-34
measure: The Eating Disorder Inventory-2
timeFrame: Each participant was assessed for a total duration of 4 months, measuring a change in The Eating Disorder Inventory-2
measure: The Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults
timeFrame: Each participant was assessed for a total duration of 4 months, measuring a change in The Body Esteem Scale
measure: The Body Appreciation Scale
timeFrame: Each participant was assessed for a total duration of 4 months, measuring a change in The Body Appreciation Scale
measure: Satisfaction
timeFrame: Each participant was assessed at the end of the intervention, for 1 day (while completing questionnaire).
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Demographic information
timeFrame: Each participant was assessed at baseline, for 1 day (while completing questionnaire).
measure: Personal details: social security number, age, email address
timeFrame: Each participant was assessed at baseline, for 1 day (while completing questionnaire).
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Kiryat Shmona
country: Israel
facility: Tel Hai Academic College
Study officials:
References: