BodyThink program-based body image education improves Korean adolescents’ attitudes toward cosmetic surgery: randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: The aims of this study were to modify the widely used BodyThink program to suit the circumstances of Korean schools and determine its effects on body esteem, body image, appearance stress, depression, and attitudes toward cosmetic surgery. Methods: Participants were 184 third-grade students from two middle schools in Korea, who were randomly assigned to a control or intervention group. Two of the participants dropped out; hence, data from 182 students were analyzed. The control group received the existing curriculum for 4 sessions, and the experimental group was provided with 4 sessions of the revised BodyThink program. Before and after the intervention, all participants completed questionnaires. Results: In the BodyThink group, improved body image, decreased depression, and positive improvements in attitudes toward cosmetic plastic surgery were observed after the intervention. Discussion: These results suggest that school health nurses can utilize interventions based on BodyThink program in their curricula to improve the physical and emotional health of adolescents. Trial registration: This study has been retrospectively registered with the Clinical Research information Service (CRIS) in Korea on October 5, 2023 (KCT0008839).