A Chance To Heal Foundation

The
primary objective of A Chance to Heal's evidence-based program for
teenage girls is to prevent eating disorders. is based
on a cognitive dissonance model. Dissonance theory suggests that if people are
induced to act in a way that is inconsistent with their initial attitudes, it
produces psychological discomfort, which leads them to change their attitudes
and behaviors. The intervention consists of verbal, written and behavioral
exercises in which participants voluntarily critique the unattainable, ultra
"thin-ideal."
After more than 16 years of research, participation in this program has been shown
to result in decreased investment in the "thin-ideal," as well as
subsequent reductions in body dissatisfaction, negative mood, dieting and
bulimic pathology.  Additionally, findings show decreased risk for future
obesity and eating disorders, and improved psychosocial functioning. Partnering
with Philadelphia area schools, A Chance to Heal implements this program for
small groups (approximately 6-10 participants per group) of high school
girls, and together, work to raise positive body image by counteracting the
negative effects that the media and other such pressures have on the body image
of today’s youth and, in doing so, prevent the onset of eating disorders.

Every
1-2 years, ACTH holds a symposium for teachers, coaches, youth group leaders,
camp directors and other youth influencers on what they can do to encourage
positive self-esteem.  This symposium equips influencers with the tools to
combat the harmful messages of the media and other such pressures created by
today's body conscious society.  BodyTalk is a collaborative program that
brings together schools and other youth-focused organizations to address the
eating disorder epidemic. Renowned speakers along with experts in the eating disorder
field join ACTH to focus on solutions to this crisis that so prevalently
affects today's girls and young women, and increasingly boys and men.