The Evaluation of Two Positive Body Image Micro-interventions for Children Aged 4-6 Years

Summary

The goal of this 4-arm randomized controlled trial is to test the effectiveness of two positive body image media micro interventions (a tv show and a music video) in improving body image related constructs.

The main questions this study aims to answer are:

1. Relative to time-matched active controls, are the two positive body image media micro-interventions effective in yielding immediate improvements in children's body functionality appreciation and body appreciation and in reducing anti-fat attitudes?
2. Are the two positive body image media micro-interventions acceptable to children and their participating parent/guardian?

An additional five secondary exploratory research questions are described below \[in the description section\].

Participants will be recruited into the trial by a research agency via their parents/guardians. Once recruited, they will be randomised into one of 4 conditions:

* 15-minute TV intervention
* 15-minute active TV control
* 3-minute music video intervention
* 3-minute active music video control

Children (and their parent or guardian) will visit a testing centre in groups of approximately 12 dyads. Children will complete T1 assessment interviews one-on-one with a researcher, before watching their assigned media with their parent. After watching their assigned media, children will complete their T2 assessment, again one-to-one with a researcher, while parents complete a survey regarding their acceptability of the media they watched. Parents/guardians will be given a link to rewatch their assigned media and encouraged to rewatch with their child before returning to the testing centre approximately one week later. When children and parents/guardians return one week later, the child will complete T3 assessment interviews one-to-one with a researcher, and parents will complete a short survey regarding their rewatch habits.

Researchers will compare the two positive body image media micro-interventions with their time-matched active controls to examine if they are effective in yielding immediate improvements in children's body functionality appreciation and body appreciation and in reducing anti-fat attitudes.

Conditions

• Body Image
• Anti Fat Bias

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Positive body image TV show

This is a 15 minute (approximately) show that has positive body image content embedded in the storyline. It also showcases a diverse range of body sizes in the casting.

BEHAVIORAL

Positive body image music video

This is a positive body image song with strong visual representation of diverse body sizes in the music video.

BEHAVIORAL

Active control TV show about a visit to the dentist

14 minute tv show following a tv character as he visits the dentist.

BEHAVIORAL

Active control music video about brushing teeth

Music video of a tv character singing about brushing teeth

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Unilever R&D

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• University of the West of England

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Nadia Craddock, PhD · University of the West of England

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

4 Years

Max Age

6 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-11-03

Primary Completion

2024-03-01

Completion

2024-03-01

Countries

• United Kingdom

Study Locations