Impact of a Web-Based Nutrition Intervention on Eating Behaviors and Body Size Preoccupations among Adolescents

• Main Authors: Manon Bordeleau (Author), Maya Purcell (Author), Véronique Provencher (Author), Shirin Panahi (Author), Raphaëlle Jacob (Author), Natalie Alméras (Author), Vicky Drapeau (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2023-10-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

We aimed to evaluate the impact of a web-based school nutrition intervention on eating behavior traits, body weight concern, body size perception and body size dissatisfaction in adolescents. Ten classes of secondary students in Canada (13.6 ± 0.8 years) were randomized into an intervention (<i>n</i> = 162 students) or control group (<i>n</i> = 75 students). Adolescents in the intervention, conducted between 2011 and 2013, participated in an online nutrition challenge to increase their consumption of vegetables, fruits and dairy products using a web-based platform over six weeks. Measurements were taken at baseline (PRE) and post-intervention (POST). No significant negative changes were observed between the intervention and control groups for eating behavior traits, body weight concern, body size perception and dissatisfaction. However, results suggest a trend for a positive effect of the intervention on susceptibility to hunger in boys (group × time interaction, <i>p</i> = 0.10). Specifically, boys experienced a reduction in their susceptibility to hunger in response to the intervention (PRE: 6.1 ± 3.8, POST: 4.8 ± 3.7, <i>p</i> = 0.009). An intervention aimed at improving the eating habits of adolescents did not negatively influence body size preoccupations. In response to the intervention, boys tended to show a lower susceptibility to hunger, which might help them to prevent overeating and adopt healthy eating habits.

Item Description

10.3390/children10111736
2227-9067