Babe (Body Appreciation and Better Eating), Just Add a Dash of Self-Compassion: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study for Black/African American Teenage Girls

<p>Introduction</p> <p>Body dissatisfaction contributes to disproportionately high rates of disordered eating behaviors observed in Black teenagers. Given that self-compassion is found to buffer against eating pathology and body dissatisfaction and is linked to reduced incidences of binge eating and disordered eating behavior. Incorporating the self-compassion construct, specifically centering on nutrition, with a program that combats negative body image, like the Body Project, may further help decrease body dissatisfaction and improve overall nutrition.</p> <p>Purpose</p> <p>The aim of this dissertation was to test (1) the acceptability and feasibility of a novel program, Body Appreciation and Better Eating, add self-compassion (BABE+SC), and to (2) assess within and between-group differences in seven psychosocial outcomes (self-compassion, binge eating risk, social comparison and feedback-seeking, body appreciation, mindful eating, social connectedness, and weight and body related guilt) from a body image and nutrition self-compassion-informed program (BABE+SC; treatment group) compared to a body image and nutrition program not informed by self-compassion (BABE; control group).</p> <p>Method</p> <p>To be included in this study, participants had to: identify as a Black/African American teenage girl, be between the ages of 13 to 18 years old, attend high school in the US during the 2022-2023 school year, and report having body dissatisfaction. Thirteen Black/African American teenage girls, aged 14 to 17, were randomized to a 4-week, 75-minute virtual treatment or control group body image and nutrition education course. Participants completed surveys at baseline, 1-week post-intervention, and at 1-month follow-up.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Findings show that recruitment methods were not feasible for this study; as the goal of 24 participants was not met (n=13; 54% goal met). However, findings showed high retention rates (100% post-intervention; 92% 1-month follow-up), minimal missing data, good attendance rates (77% of participants attended 100% of classes, and 33% of participants attended 75% of classes), and positive feedback from focus group discussion and program evaluation surveys. These findings suggest that both the BABE +SC program and the BABE program were both feasible and acceptable programs for Black teenage girls. Within-group improvements in self-compassion, body appreciation, and social connectedness were seen in the treatment group (BABE+SC). Within-group improvements in self-compassion, binge eating risk, and social connectedness were also seen in the control group (BABE).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Both programs were feasible and acceptable for Black/African American teenage girls in this study. However, given that the recruitment goal was not met, future studies should prioritize recruitment methods to recruit a larger sample size to better assess the acceptability and generalizability of the programs. BABE+SC and BABE both show promise as a program to increase psychosocial well-being in teenage girls. However, further testing with a larger sample size is needed to substantiate the findings.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Health Promotion, Education and Behavior

Year dc:date.available

2023

Author dc:creator

• Okpara, Nkechi Bianca

Contributors dc:contributor

• Gabrielle Turner-McGrievy

• Public Health Education and Promotion
• African American/Black
• Body Image
• Girls
• Nutrition Education
• Nutrition Self-compassion
• Teenage

Statement dc:rights

• © 2023, Nkechi Bianca Okpara

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/7393

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarcommons.sc.edu:etd-8404