The Lab: “The Female Athlete Body Project (FAB)- Final 18-Month Results”

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the efficacy of the Female Athlete Body Project (FAB), an eating disorders (ED) prevention program for female collegiate athletes.

METHODS:

The present study was a cluster randomized controlled trial in which 481 female collegiate athletes at three sites (NCAA DI-DIII) were randomly assigned by team to either the FAB intervention or a waitlist brochure control condition. Primary analyses examined the effects of FAB on 18-month outcomes for ED risk factors and symptoms. Secondary analyses examined internalization of the traditional and sport-specific thin ideals, knowledge of the Female Athlete Triad, healthcare utilization, and negative affect.

RESULTS:

Primary analyses, using linear mixed effects models with random intercept and random slope and team as the cluster level variable, revealed FAB yielded a significant effect on the ED subscale of dietary restraint. Further, teams in the FAB condition reported significantly less frequent objective binge episodes and subjective binge episodes than teams in the control arm of the study at 18-month follow-up. The FAB group also showed a reduction of internalization of the traditional thin ideal as well as a decrease in shape concern, highlighting the benefits of this program on minimizing both ED symptoms and associated risk factors.

DISCUSSION:

This study demonstrates successful collaboration between the research team and participating universities in implementing a community participatory research model, providing valuable lessons about future design and implementation of similar trials.

RESEARCHERS:

Tiffany M. Stewart, Nicole Y. Wesley, Tom Hildebrandt, Lisa Smith Kilpela, and Carolyn Black Becker

KEYWORDS:

Student-Athlete, The Lab, Research, Science, Athletics Research, Eating Disorders, Female Athletes, Body Image