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Educational Intervention on Awareness of Diet-Relevant Material in Dieters and Nondieters
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by Shayne Gessler Fettig and F. Richard Ferraro* - University of North Dakota
Categories: Personality | Physiological | Social
We determined if a 60-min video intervention increased awareness about eating disorders among dieting and nondieting individuals. Eighty-six women, operationally defined as dieters (n = 35) or nondieters (n = 51), completed questionnaires measuring behavioral characteristics typically associated with anorexia and bulimia nervosa. They also viewed a 60-min videotape about diet and weight-relevant information and were examined (via a surprise quiz) on their knowledge of information retained from this video. Information in the video affected performance, but only with regard to self-esteem and importance of weight to significant others. Dieters indicated their weight as more important to their significant others, whereas nondieters showed the opposite pattern. Likewise, dieters’ self-esteem decreased after viewing the video, whereas nondieters’ self-esteem increased. Implications for educational interventions and eating disorders are discussed.