Study Results
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Basic Information
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COMPLETED
NA
137 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2021-02-15
2022-08-01
Brief Summary
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Detailed Description
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Research supports that for men, pressures from media, friends, partners, and family to pursue a lean, muscular body can lead to body-ideal internalization -- the belief that one's self-worth and value are defined by physical appearance. This can lead to dissatisfaction with muscularity and body fat, which in turn, contributes to eating disorder and muscle dysmorphia-related attitudes and behaviors. Thus, targeting internalization of the lean, muscular ideal portrayed in media culture would be important for reducing both Eating Disorder and muscle dysmorphia symptoms for men.
While studies have targeted body-ideal internalization in groups of women using dissonance-based interventions, until recently, no programs had been developed to address internalization of the lean, muscular body ideal for men. Our group recently developed and evaluated the Body Project: More than Muscles (MTM) in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to target eating disorder and muscle dysmorphia risk factors in body-dissatisfied men. Results demonstrated significantly greater decreases in body-ideal internalization, dietary restraint, drive for muscularity, bulimic symptoms (e.g., binge eating, self-induced vomiting, laxatives, fasting, and/or excessive exercise), and muscle dysmorphia symptoms for men in the MTM intervention compared to assessment-only controls, both pre- to post-intervention and at 1-month follow-up. Further, body-ideal internalization mediated intervention outcomes for bulimic and muscle dysmorphia symptoms, supporting that the intervention's effects were exerted through reducing internalization of lean, muscular ideal images portrayed in media.
While initial results for MTM are promising, prior to disseminating this program to a wider audience, the present study will replicate and extend effects observed in the previous trial by comparing the intervention to a time- and attention-matched media advocacy (MA) active control condition used in previous Eating Disorder prevention programs. The present study will also explore the impact of MTM on additional risk factors for Eating Disorders and muscle dysmorphia in men not explicitly included in the previous RCT including unhealthy exercise, self- and other-objectification, appearance- and performance-enhancing drug (APED) use, and overall levels of depression, stress, and anxiety.
Results from the present study will provide critical support to help translate research on Eating Disorders and muscle dysmorphia in men into evidence-based prevention of these problems. MTM represents a novel approach to eating disorder prevention in this underserved population. This intervention has potential for wide dissemination, as peer-led interventions in women have demonstrated comparable impact to professional-led interventions. Further, if effects for MTM replicate, future research could adapt online or web-based versions of the program to help disseminate this program to a wider audience of men across the country. Thus, if results support the intervention's efficacy, this could lead to the expanded delivery of the intervention into university-based or online effectiveness trials to help prevent Eating Disorders and reduce body dissatisfaction for men at a national level.
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
PREVENTION
DOUBLE
Study Groups
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Media Advocacy (MA)
Participants assigned to this condition take place in a time and attention-matched active control where they discuss the role of media in promoting the body ideal.
Media Advocacy (MA)
MA content generally centers on acknowledging and discussing the role the media has on shaping body image ideals. Session 1: In session 1, similar to MTM, the primary activities will include: (1) describing the ideal body for men in our culture, (2) discussing how the media impacts this ideal, with a particular focus on advertising. Following this, participants will (3) watch a video on how the media influences body image among men, and the consequences of internalizing these messages. Session 2: In session 2, content will continue by further discussion of the video showed in session 1, with participants sharing their reactions. Next, the group discusses the attainability of the ideal as well as discusses other forms of media (e.g., social media) and how it impacts body image.
Body Project: More than Muscles (MTM)
Participants assigned to this condition take part in a two-session intervention based on dissonance theory which encourages them to challenge the body ideal.
More than Muscles (MTM)
In session 1, the primary activities are: 1) define the "ideal" body type for men in our culture, 2) discuss the origin and perpetration of the "ideal," 3) brainstorm the costs of pursuing the "ideal," 4) participate in a verbal challenge during which participants counter the "ideal" message, and (5) are asked to complete three "homework" assignments (i.e., a letter to an adolescent boy, a behavioral challenge, and a mirror exposure assignment). In session 2, the primary activities are: 1) reviewing homework, 2) engage in role-plays to counter/discourage pursuit of the "ideal," 3) discuss ways to challenge and avoid "negative body talk" statements, 4) list ways to resist the pressure to pursue this "ideal" both individually and as a group within the larger community (i.e., body activism), 5) discuss barriers to body activism and strategies to overcome those barriers, and 6) individually select an exit exercise to continue to actively challenge the appearance ideal.
Interventions
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More than Muscles (MTM)
In session 1, the primary activities are: 1) define the "ideal" body type for men in our culture, 2) discuss the origin and perpetration of the "ideal," 3) brainstorm the costs of pursuing the "ideal," 4) participate in a verbal challenge during which participants counter the "ideal" message, and (5) are asked to complete three "homework" assignments (i.e., a letter to an adolescent boy, a behavioral challenge, and a mirror exposure assignment). In session 2, the primary activities are: 1) reviewing homework, 2) engage in role-plays to counter/discourage pursuit of the "ideal," 3) discuss ways to challenge and avoid "negative body talk" statements, 4) list ways to resist the pressure to pursue this "ideal" both individually and as a group within the larger community (i.e., body activism), 5) discuss barriers to body activism and strategies to overcome those barriers, and 6) individually select an exit exercise to continue to actively challenge the appearance ideal.
Media Advocacy (MA)
MA content generally centers on acknowledging and discussing the role the media has on shaping body image ideals. Session 1: In session 1, similar to MTM, the primary activities will include: (1) describing the ideal body for men in our culture, (2) discussing how the media impacts this ideal, with a particular focus on advertising. Following this, participants will (3) watch a video on how the media influences body image among men, and the consequences of internalizing these messages. Session 2: In session 2, content will continue by further discussion of the video showed in session 1, with participants sharing their reactions. Next, the group discusses the attainability of the ideal as well as discusses other forms of media (e.g., social media) and how it impacts body image.
Other Intervention Names
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Identify as male
* Endorse body image concerns
* Speak English and able to provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
* Significant neuropsychiatric illness (e.g., dementia, untreated severe psychiatric illness determined by SCID-unmedicated bipolar disorder, psychosis, or active suicidal ideation)
* Older than 30 years old
* Younger than 18 years old
18 Years
30 Years
MALE
Yes
Sponsors
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Michael and Arlene Rosen Foundation
UNKNOWN
University of California, San Diego
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Tiffany Brown
Principal Investigator & Assistant Professor
Locations
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University of California, San Diego, Eating Disorder Center for Treatment and Research
San Diego, California, United States
Countries
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References
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Strother E, Lemberg R, Stanford SC, Turberville D. Eating disorders in men: underdiagnosed, undertreated, and misunderstood. Eat Disord. 2012;20(5):346-55. doi: 10.1080/10640266.2012.715512.
Hudson JI, Hiripi E, Pope HG Jr, Kessler RC. The prevalence and correlates of eating disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Biol Psychiatry. 2007 Feb 1;61(3):348-58. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.03.040. Epub 2006 Jul 3.
Keel PK. Eating Disorders. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall; 2005
Kirkbride J, Coid JW, Morgan C, Fearon P, Dazzan P, Yang M, Lloyd T, Harrison GL, Murray RM, Jones PB. Translating the epidemiology of psychosis into public mental health: evidence, challenges and future prospects. J Public Ment Health. 2010 Jun;9(2):4-14. doi: 10.5042/jpmh.2010.0324.
Rodgers RF, Ganchou C, Franko DL, Chabrol H. Drive for muscularity and disordered eating among French adolescent boys: a sociocultural model. Body Image. 2012 Jun;9(3):318-23. doi: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2012.03.002. Epub 2012 Apr 10.
Tylka TL. Refinement of the tripartite influence model for men: dual body image pathways to body change behaviors. Body Image. 2011 Jun;8(3):199-207. doi: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2011.04.008. Epub 2011 Jun 12.
Litt D, Dodge T. A longitudinal investigation of the Drive for Muscularity Scale: predicting use of performance enhancing substances and weightlifting among males. Body Image. 2008 Dec;5(4):346-51. doi: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2008.04.002. Epub 2008 Jul 21.
Leit RA, Gray JJ, Pope HG Jr. The media's representation of the ideal male body: a cause for muscle dysmorphia? Int J Eat Disord. 2002 Apr;31(3):334-8. doi: 10.1002/eat.10019.
Cafri G, Thompson JK, Ricciardelli L, McCabe M, Smolak L, Yesalis C. Pursuit of the muscular ideal: Physical and psychological consequences and putative risk factors. Clin Psychol Rev. 2005 Feb;25(2):215-39. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2004.09.003. Epub 2004 Dec 30.
Pope HG Jr, Gruber AJ, Choi P, Olivardia R, Phillips KA. Muscle dysmorphia. An underrecognized form of body dysmorphic disorder. Psychosomatics. 1997 Nov-Dec;38(6):548-57. doi: 10.1016/S0033-3182(97)71400-2.
Olivardia R, Pope HG Jr, Hudson JI. Muscle dysmorphia in male weightlifters: a case-control study. Am J Psychiatry. 2000 Aug;157(8):1291-6. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.157.8.1291.
Bramon-Bosch E, Troop NA, Treasure JL. Eating disorders in males: a comparison with female patients. European Eating Disorders Review. 2000;8(4):321-328.
Griffiths S, Hay P, Mitchison D, Mond JM, McLean SA, Rodgers B, Massey R, Paxton SJ. Sex differences in the relationships between body dissatisfaction, quality of life and psychological distress. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2016 Dec;40(6):518-522. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.12538. Epub 2016 Jul 3.
Griffiths S, Mond JM, Li Z, Gunatilake S, Murray SB, Sheffield J, Touyz S. Self-stigma of seeking treatment and being male predict an increased likelihood of having an undiagnosed eating disorder. Int J Eat Disord. 2015 Sep;48(6):775-8. doi: 10.1002/eat.22413. Epub 2015 Jun 6.
Striegel-Moore RH, Leslie D, Petrill SA, Garvin V, Rosenheck RA. One-year use and cost of inpatient and outpatient services among female and male patients with an eating disorder: evidence from a national database of health insurance claims. Int J Eat Disord. 2000 May;27(4):381-9. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1098-108x(200005)27:43.0.co;2-u.
Brown TA, Keel PK. Current and emerging directions in the treatment of eating disorders. Subst Abuse. 2012;6:33-61. doi: 10.4137/SART.S7864. Epub 2012 Mar 29.
Keel PK, Brown TA. Update on course and outcome in eating disorders. Int J Eat Disord. 2010 Apr;43(3):195-204. doi: 10.1002/eat.20810.
Pope HG Jr, Olivardia R, Gruber A, Borowiecki J. Evolving ideals of male body image as seen through action toys. Int J Eat Disord. 1999 Jul;26(1):65-72. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1098-108x(199907)26:13.0.co;2-d.
Leit RA, Pope HG Jr, Gray JJ. Cultural expectations of muscularity in men: the evolution of playgirl centerfolds. Int J Eat Disord. 2001 Jan;29(1):90-3. doi: 10.1002/1098-108x(200101)29:13.0.co;2-f.
Pope H, Phillips KA, Olivardia R. The Adonis complex: The secret crisis of male body obsession: Simon and Schuster; 2000.
Harrison K, Cantor J. The relationship between media consumption and eating disorders. Journal of communication. 1997;47(1):40-67.
Brown TA, Forney KJ, Pinner D, Keel PK. A randomized controlled trial of The Body Project: More Than Muscles for men with body dissatisfaction. Int J Eat Disord. 2017 Aug;50(8):873-883. doi: 10.1002/eat.22724. Epub 2017 May 8.
Becker CB, Smith LM, Ciao AC. Peer-facilitated eating disorder prevention: A randomized effectiveness trial of cognitive dissonance and media advocacy. Journal of Counseling Psychology. 2006;53(4):550.
Becker CB, Bull S, Schaumberg K, Cauble A, Franco A. Effectiveness of peer-led eating disorders prevention: a replication trial. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2008 Apr;76(2):347-54. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.76.2.347.
Related Links
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Other Identifiers
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201229S
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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