The everyBody Treatment program is for participants who meet the criteria for eating disorders other than anorexia nervosa. everyBody Treatment Program is our coached digital program based off of our Student Bodies – ED (SB-ED) adapted for adolescents. This program is derived from evidence-based protocols for in-person cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for EDs. Coached CBT treatment options, like SB-ED, have been recommended as a first-line approach.
Grounded in cognitive behavioral theory, SB-ED targets core ED pathology (i.e., dietary restraint, weight/shape concerns). Key features of SB-ED are designed to maximize engagement and effectiveness:
- Short, interactive sessions
- “Front-loaded” to address key targets early
- Offers personalized coaching
We explored preliminary acceptability of the program in adolescents with EDs and found
very high acceptability. Further, among 34 teens with EDs who used the program as
part of an ongoing study, we found that global ED psychopathology significantly
improved.
We demonstrated effectiveness of the original SB-ED among 690 college women with binge/purge-type EDs. Results showed there was a significantly greater reduction in ED psychopathology. SB-ED also greatly increased access to care and was shown to significantly reduce restrictive eating and binge eating in Missouri college students.
The Student Bodies – ED program is also available to all Missourians over the age of 18 through Body U.
References
- Fairburn CG. Cognitive behavior therapy and eating disorders. Guilford Press; 2008.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Eating disorders: Recognition and Treatment. National Guideline Alliance, UK; 2017.
- Kasson E, Vázquez MM, Doroshenko C, et al. Exploring Social Media Recruitment Strategies and Preliminary Acceptability of an mHealth Tool for Teens with Eating Disorders. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(15):7979. Published 2021 Jul 28. doi:10.3390/ijerph18157979
- Fitzsimmons-Craft EE, Taylor CB, Graham AK, et al. Effectiveness of a Digital Cognitive Behavior Therapy-Guided Self-Help Intervention for Eating Disorders in College Women: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(8):e2015633. Published 2020 Aug 3. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.15633
- Fitzsimmons-Craft EE, Firebaugh ML, Graham AK, et al. State-wide university implementation of an online platform for eating disorders screening and intervention. Psychol Serv. 2019;16(2):239-249. doi:10.1037/ser0000264