A study recently published in the Archives of General Psychiatry suggests that young women at risk for eating disorders may be helped by an on-line program that focused upon reducing weight and shape concerns, enhancing body image, and educating about the risks of eating disorders.

A total of 480 college students with BMI of over 25 and body-image concerns participated in the program called "Student Bodies." Students were directed to read educational material each week and participate in assignments such as journal writing and participating in a psychologist-moderated online discussion group.

At the end of the eight-week program, body image concerns were significantly reduced, as measured by attitude measurement tools such as the Weight Concerns Scale. A two-year follow-up revealed that none of the women who participated in the interventional program developed an eating disorder, whereas 11.9% of a control group (those of equal weight and body-image concerns who did not participate in the intervention) developed an eating disorder.

Although the program was expensive, requiring highly trained moderators and access to a computer, further study may reveal a less expensive way to deliver such interventional programs to college students at high risk for eating disorders.