Body image programme to cut obesity disorders

According to them, the programme, called Healthy Weight, helps adolescents adopt a healthier lifestyle, wherein they gradually reduce intake of the least healthy portion of their diet and increase physical activity.

This programme simply teaches youth to balance their energy intake with their energy needs, and to do so on a permanent basis, rather than on the transient basis which is more typical of diets.

"One reason these programs might be more effective is that they require youth to take a more healthy perspective, which leads them to internalise the more healthy attitudes.

"In addition, these programs have simple take-home messages, which may be easier to remember in the future than messages from more complex prevention programmes," said lead researcher Eric Stice of Oregon Research Institute.

In their study, the researchers found that their programme reduced the risk for onset of eating disorders by 61 per cent and obesity by 55 per cent in young women