This program is for students who are in 7th and 8th grade.

Everybody's Different, a school-based program, is designed to improve participants' body images, eating disorder attitudes, and unhealthy behaviors by building and strengthening their feelings of self-worth.

Evidence from one randomized controlled trial conducted by program developers demonstrates several positive results at a 12-month follow-up: decreased importance of social acceptance, physical appearance, and athletic ability; improved physical self-esteem in females; and improved body image and physical self-esteem in students at high-risk for developing an eating disorder compared to a control group. However, despite an age-appropriate, significant weight-gain in the intervention group compared to the control group, there was a significant increase in the number of female intervention students who reported currently trying to lose weight over the 12-month study period.

This interactive program uses student discussions, group work, team work, games, play, and drama in a classroom environment to help develop positive self-image and self-efficacy. The following lessons help participants meet these goals:

• Lesson 1:  Dealing with stress - Manage stress and feel comfortable in your body;
• Lesson 2:  Building a positive sense of self - Identify your unique features and explore how self-image can be damaged;
• Lessons 3, 4, and 5:  Stereotypes in our society - Examine cultural stereotypes and learn to accept and value differences and reject media stereotypes;
• Lesson 6:  Positive self-evaluation - Explore individuality and learn to value uniqueness;
• Lesson 7:  Involving significant others - Discover ways to improve self image;
• Lesson 8:  Relationship skills - Consider how other people affect your self image and learn how to deal with relationships; and
• Lesson 9:  Communication skills - Use games and activities to build self-esteem.

Home-based activities are provided, and students are encouraged to discuss lessons with people inside and outside of their schools.

Information about previous use was not located.

Teachers facilitate this program.  No training is required to implement this program; however, teachers will find it helpful to familiarize themselves with the textbook before starting the program.

Considerations for implementing this program include acquiring teacher, participant, parent, and school administration buy-in; understanding this program could broach sensitive topics; and making time in the regular classroom curriculum for program lessons.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing Everybody's Different, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

The program contains 9-weekly, 50- to 80-minute lessons.  Time to complete take-home activities varies.

The Everybody's Different textbook costs $64.95. Please visit https://shop.acer.org/everybody-s-different.html for more information.

To move Everybody's Different to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one evaluation should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting at least six months from program completion.

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu

You may also contact Dr. Jennifer O'Dea by phone 1-709-777-4520 or email jennifer.odea@easternhealth.ca

O’Dea and Abraham (2000) and https://shop.acer.org/everybody-s-different.html