Anorexia Prevention in Female College Students

NCT07677020 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: JNUECKY-20260325-054
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 135
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study evaluated whether an acceptance-based embodied movement program can reduce eating disorder risk and body shape concerns in female college students at elevated risk. A total of 135 female undergraduate and graduate students were randomly assigned to one of three groups: acceptance-based embodied movement, functional fitness control, or psychoeducation. The intervention lasted 8 weeks, and outcomes were assessed at baseline, week 4, week 8, and 3-month follow-up. The main outcomes were eating disorder risk and body shape concern. Secondary outcomes included depression, anxiety, body image flexibility, functionality appreciation, and body surveillance.

Conditions

Eating Disorder Risk; Body Shape Concern

Keywords

Female college students; Disordered eating; Body image; Body image flexibility; Embodied movement; Acceptance and commitment therapy; Functionality appreciation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Eating Disorder Risk

  Eating disorder risk was measured using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire Short Form (EDE-QS). Higher scores indicate greater eating disorder risk.

  Baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 20 follow-up

• Body Shape Concern

  Body shape concern was measured using the 8-item Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-8C). Higher scores indicate greater body shape concern.

  Baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 20 follow-up

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Depressive Symptoms

  Baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 20 follow-up

• Anxiety Symptoms

  Baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 20 follow-up

• Body Image Flexibility

  Baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 20 follow-up

• Functionality Appreciation

  Baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 20 follow-up

Study Arms (3)

Acceptance-Based Embodied Movement

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received an 8-week acceptance-based embodied movement program delivered in groups. The program used low-impact mindful movements derived from yoga and tai chi and incorporated acceptance and commitment therapy techniques, including present-moment awareness, acceptance of appearance-related thoughts and feelings, cognitive defusion, valued action, and appreciation of body functionality.

Behavioral: Acceptance-Based Embodied Movement

Functional Fitness Control

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants received an 8-week functional fitness control program delivered in groups. This program matched the embodied movement program in session duration, frequency, and contact time, but removed mindfulness and acceptance components. It included aerobic and core exercises with standard fitness instruction focused on exertion, completion of exercises, and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Behavioral: Functional Fitness Control

Psychoeducation

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants received an 8-week psychoeducation program delivered in groups without physical activity. The program provided cognitive and dissonance-based body image education, including critical discussion of idealized media images, appearance-focused talk, and body-related self-esteem.

Behavioral: Psychoeducation

Interventions

Functional Fitness Control BEHAVIORAL

An 8-week group-based functional fitness program matched to the embodied movement program in session duration, frequency, and contact time. The program included aerobic and core exercises with standard fitness instruction and did not include mindfulness, acceptance, or body-image-focused guidance.

Functional Fitness Control

Psychoeducation BEHAVIORAL

An 8-week group-based psychoeducation program without physical activity. The program provided cognitive and dissonance-based body image education, including critical discussion of idealized media images, appearance-focused talk, and body-related self-esteem.

Psychoeducation

Acceptance-Based Embodied Movement BEHAVIORAL

An 8-week group-based embodied movement program using low-impact mindful movements derived from yoga and tai chi. The program incorporated acceptance and commitment therapy techniques, including present-moment body awareness, acceptance of appearance-related thoughts and feelings, cognitive defusion, valued action, and appreciation of body functionality.

Acceptance-Based Embodied Movement

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Eligibility was limited to female college students because the intervention targeted eating disorder risk and body shape concerns in this population.
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Female undergraduate or graduate students.
• Aged 18 to 25 years.
• Elevated eating disorder risk or body shape concern based on the prespecified screening threshold.
• Physically able to participate in light-intensity physical activity.
• Provided written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Current treatment for an eating disorder.
• Any physical condition contraindicating participation in exercise.
• Pregnancy.
• Concurrent participation in another structured body image or exercise program.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Jinan University Guangzhou: lead

Study Sites (1)

Jinan University

Guangzhou, Gaungdong, China

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Outcome assessors and data analysts were masked to group assignment. Participants were not informed of the study hypotheses or the content of the other groups, but they could not be fully masked to their own group because the intervention activities differed.
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Master's advisor

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three parallel groups: acceptance-based embodied movement, functional fitness control, or psychoeducation. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, week 4, week 8, and 3-month follow-up.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 24, 2026
• First Posted: June 30, 2026
• Study Start: June 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2025
• Study Completion: December 1, 2025
• Last Updated: June 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)