Healthy me: A gender-specific program to address body image concerns and risk factors among preadolescents

•Previous body image programs for preadolescents have not been gender-specific.•A school-based, gender-specific program for preadolescents was evaluated.•Significant increases in muscle esteem and healthy eating at post-intervention.•Boys demonstrated reduced investment in masculine gender norms at post-intervention.•Implications for future programs are discussed.

This study evaluated a gender-specific, school-based program to promote positive body image and address risk factors for body dissatisfaction. In total, 652 children aged 8-10 years participated (335 intervention, 317 wait-list control). Children participated in four 60 min sessions and a recap session at three months post-intervention. The broad content areas were body image, peer relationships, media awareness, healthy diet, and exercise. The activities and examples for each session were gender specific. The recap session was an overview of the four sessions. Assessment measures were completed at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and after the recap. Boys and girls in the intervention demonstrated higher muscle esteem and vegetable intake at post-intervention, compared to children in the control condition. Boys and girls demonstrated higher body esteem, muscle esteem and fruit and vegetable intake at the recap. Boys in the intervention demonstrated less investment in masculine gender norms at post-intervention and at recap.