[Can we prevent eating disorders?].

Abstract

This paper reviews experience and empirical findings with respect to preventing eating disorders. In essence, the evidence is quite disappointing; no studies have shown major and lasting effects. This is because of methodological flaws, errors in programme designs and imprecise or unrealistic outcome measures. Some developments stand out as more promising: first, developing universal, preventive strategies that take into account knowledge about how to change attitudes and behaviour; second, replacing short-lived classroom educational programmes with strategies involving parents and the community at large. Within such an ecological and health promoting paradigm the focus is not to prevent serious eating disorders, but to modify the culture of body dissatisfaction. This focus can be integrated into preventing obesity in order to reduce the risk of conflicting public messages.