Students ages 12-17 will complete a brief online survey and be match to a tailored online program based on their needs.
The survey will use participant responses to determine whether they meet the clinical and/or subclinical criteria for several eating disorders, if they are at high risk of developing an eating disorder, or if they are at low risk for an eating disorder..
Based on these results, participants will either be provided access to one of three evidence-based digital interventions or will be referred to a professional for clinical evaluation. Body U Teens has something to offer all students – those who feel as though they already have healthy habits and those who feel as though their eating, exercise, and body image could improve.
School nurses will be made aware of students who screen positive for anorexia nervosa, atypical anorexia, or another clinical/subclinical eating disorders. The school nurse will provide information and a list of resources to students and parents. Students in the coached digital program will be closely monitored and if they don’t show improvement in the program, they will be referred out to the school nurse and provided with a list of resources.
Parents will be able to opt their child out of the screen based on their school’s procedure.
The Screening Outcomes
Based on their responses, respondents will fall into one of four categories.
Low Risk
Answers indicated that they did not have an elevated risk of developing an eating disorder.
Participants who screen for low risk are provided access to StayingWell.
High Risk
Answers suggests that student is experiencing concerns about their weight and shape and are engaging in behaviors that are likely interfering with they health and happiness. They may be at risk of developing an eating disorder.
Participants who are found to be at high risk of developing an eating disorder are provided access to the everyBody Prevention Program.
Clinical/Subclinical Eating Disorder
Answers suggest that student may be struggling with one of the following eating disorders:
- Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
- Bulimia Nervosa (BN)
Participants who screen for clinical/subclinical EDs will be provided access to the everyBody Treatment Program.
Anorexia Nervosa
Answers indicated that student may be struggling with one of the following eating disorder:
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Atypical Anorexia Nervosa
Participants who screen for Anorexia Nervosa will receive a referral to a provider for treatment.
The Programs
Body U Teens is a digital suite of programs, including
- Staying Well
- A digital self-help program for teenagers at low-risk who want to maintain or boost healthy habits
- EveryBody (uncoached)
- An interactive, digital self-help program based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders to prevent teenagers at high-risk from developing an eating disorder
- EveryBody (coached)
- An interactive, digital program with a trained human coach that will guide the teenager through content based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders
These programs are already available to adults in Missouri through Body U and have helped thousands of people build better relationships with their bodies.