The first is a one-time lecture that has the goal of teaching the dangers of eating disorders and how to get help if someone has a preoccupation with weight and diet. Another prevention technique is to incorporate the subject into a class such as health, physical education, or even a social science class. Material may be integrated into formal classes, however, informal discussions and comments by teachers regarding weight issues and eating behaviors are equally important. .
To be effective, not only should the individual students be targeted, the whole school environment should take on the preventative measures as well. For that to occur, many steps are taken. In addition to prevention being integrated into class subjects, the school staff is specially trained in how to prevent eating disorders and counselors are made available for those who may be at risk. They are taught how to relay the message to resist negative social pressures to diet, overeat, or engage in other unhealthy behaviors through the development of self-esteem and skills such as assertiveness, decision-making, and communication. Also, there could be methods of referral between schools and policies against weight loss or gain in order to improve a sports team. Additionally, school lunches are made much more nutritional with a better selection of fruits and vegetables (Neumark-Sztainer, 1996).
The next program is community-based that is focused on prevention for preadolescent girls. The program was tested on 226 Girl Scouts and involved six 90- minute sessions over three weeks. The program's main focus was to encourage the children to accept their body as it is and not be influenced by what is portrayed in the media. It was a short-term program that showed promise of being a strong preventative measure when implemented over a long period of time, so as to get lasting results. It showed that intervening in youth organizations such as the Girl Scouts could result in positive outcomes.
