A Single-Session Digital Diet Culture Intervention: A Case Series Examining Immediate Impacts on Eating Disorder Pathology and Weight Stigma
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Diet culture refers to the ubiquitous sociocultural system which conflates bodyweight with health, perpetuates myths about food and eating, and upholds a moral hierarchy of bodies derived from patriarchal, racist, and capitalist forms of domination. Diet culture promotes a hierarchy of bodies and weight-based moralism that can contribute to anti-fat bias and the development of eating disorders (EDs). Despite growing recognition of these harms, accessible interventions targeting diet culture beliefs remain limited. In this study, we evaluated a brief, single-session digital mental health intervention (DMHI) designed to challenge diet culture beliefs (e.g., fat = unhealthy).
METHOD
A sample of 455 cisgender women (Mage = 32.6) completed the DMHI, which included psychoeducation and cognitive restructuring techniques aimed at disrupting weight stigma and misinformation about weight and health. Of the 455 participants enrolled, between 284 and 296 completed post-intervention measures depending on the outcome. Attrition analyses indicated no significant baseline differences between completers and non-completers on ED pathology or weight stigma variables; the only exception was the interpersonal relationships subscale of fat acceptance, where non-completers reported slightly lower baseline scores. Pre- and post-intervention assessments measured ED pathology, fat acceptance, and anticipated weight stigma.
RESULTS
We found increased fat-accepting health beliefs and…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case series, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health. Reported size: 455 participants or records.
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