2 - (SYM 88) the Body Advocacy Movement: A Novel Intervention to Reduce Fear of Weight Gain in Young Adults

Background: Fears related to fatness and weight gain may be a particularly salient cognitive target for many individuals at high risk for ED onset or relapse. The current study provides a pilot investigation of a novel, peer-led intervention that targets fear of fatness and anti-fat bias (the Body Advocacy Movement; BAM).

Method: Individuals (target N = 60) are randomized and complete a 2-session group-based eating disorder prevention program (BAM or an active control [the Body Project]). BAM leverages both dissonance and exposure-based intervention strategies, adapting common exercises used to promote body acceptance and challenge sociocultural body ideals to specifically target anti-fat bias and internalized fatphobia. Participants in BAM will (1) Define anti-fat bias and fatphobia and explore how these constructs manifest in personal beliefs and interpersonal interactions, (2) Engage in imaginal exposure exercises to challenge fears related to fatness and weight gain (3) Reflect on whether fears of fatness do or do not align with personal values, (4) Learn new ways to challenge fear of fatness and internalized anti-fat bias and (5) Discuss ways to challenge anti-fat bias on an institutional and societal level.

Results: Current N enrolled = 46; 27% racial/ethnic minority; 31% sexual/gender minority; 81% endorsing a history of either symptoms consistent with a full-threshold ED diagnosis (AN/Atypical AN = 48%; BN = 4%, BED = 7%; Purging Disorder = 4%) or subclinical symptoms (19%). Preliminary results support intervention reductions on target mechanisms: fear of fatness and anti-fat bias, with a moderate-to-large effect size from pre-intervention to 8-week follow-up (Cohen’s d = 0.97 Goldfarb Fear of Fat Scale; 0.56 Universal Measure of Bias -Fat; 0.34 ESPI Negative Attitudes Towards Obesity).

Discussion: This novel intervention demonstrates good acceptability ( > 80% retention from session 1 to session 2) and promise for reducing fear of weight gain and anti-fat bias among a high-risk, young adult sample. Future research will include intervention refinement, scalability, and clarification of long-term effects on ED symptoms.