Characteristics and effectiveness of stand-alone body image treatments: a review of the empirical literature

Josée L Jarry; Kelty Berardi

doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2004.10.005

Characteristics and effectiveness of stand-alone body image treatments: a review of the empirical literature

Body Image. 2004 Dec;1(4):319-33. doi: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2004.10.005. Epub 2004 Dec 8.

Authors

Josée L Jarry¹, Kelty Berardi

Affiliation

¹ Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ont., Canada N9B 3P4.

PMID: 18089164
DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2004.10.005

Abstract

This literature review examined the characteristics and effectiveness of treatments dedicated exclusively to body image. A total of 18 studies met selection criteria. All but one involved at least one cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) condition and only three compared CBT to another treatment approach. Twelve studies were conducted with non-clinical, body dissatisfied, participants and only one focussed on eating disordered women. Overall, the interventions were highly effective in improving body image and psychological variables and, to a lesser extent, eating attitude and behaviour. Changes were generally maintained at follow-up. Given their efficacy, more controlled trials of stand-alone body image treatments in clinical populations are needed. Investigating approaches other than CBT may open fruitful avenues of body image treatment.