Body Project SMIL: Prevention of Eating Disorders Among Young Women With Psychiatric Illness With the Body Project

Launched by AARHUS UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Mar 18, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Body Project SMIL is a clinical trial designed to help prevent eating disorders in young women aged 15-25 who have body dissatisfaction and a diagnosed psychiatric illness, such as anxiety or mood disorders. This trial is testing a virtual program called the Body Project, which is led by peers and consists of four one-hour online sessions. The aim is to help participants challenge harmful beauty standards and promote a healthier body image. Participants will be randomly placed in either the Body Project group or a writing group that focuses on body image for four weeks.

To join the study, participants must be comfortable with online discussions and should not currently have a clinically diagnosed eating disorder. Participants will have their experiences measured before and after the program, and again at six months, one year, and two years later. The goal is to see if this program can effectively reduce body dissatisfaction and the risk of developing eating disorders. It's important to know that while this program offers support, it does not replace professional treatment for those with active eating disorders. Parental consent is needed for those under 18, and anyone can withdraw from the study at any time without any consequences. For more information, you can visit the study's website at www.bodyproject.dk.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • self-reported body dissatisfaction and a medically verified psychiatric diagnosis (e.g., mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, and personality disorders)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • ED symptoms equivalent to clinically significant ED corresponding to a diagnostic level according to DSM-5 criteria as evaluated via the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Interview.
• • Acute psychiatric instability or psychosis or suicide attempt within the last 12 months, or inability to cognitively understand the project or work in the online group setting either due to illness or severe substance abuse.
• • Not speaking and understanding Danish.