Diabetes Body Project: Acute effects of an eating disorder prevention program for young women with type 1 diabetes: a multi-national randomized trial

Objective: Young women with type 1 diabetes are at risk to develop eating disorders (ED). We evaluated a novel ED prevention program in a multi-national randomized controlled trial. Research Design and Methods: Women (14-35 years) with type 1 diabetes were randomized to virtual Diabetes Body Project groups or educational control. Outcomes were assessed at pretest and posttest (1-2 weeks after intervention). Results: Compared to educational controls (n=146), participants in the Diabetes Body Project (n=147) showed significant improvements (all p<0.05) with small Cohen’s d effect sizes for ED symptoms (d=-0.30, CI -0.06,-0.69) (primary outcome), diabetes distress (d=-0.42), quality of life (d=0.39) and dietary restraint (d=-0.31), and medium effect sizes for diabetes-specific disordered eating behaviors (d=-0.70), body dissatisfaction (d=-0.59), and pursuit of thin appearance ideal (d=-0.56). Conclusions: The Diabetes Body Project produced significantly larger acute effects with small to medium effect sizes compared to educational controls and has potential for broad implementation.