P3.025: Reimagining Body Image: A Pilot Exploration of Near-Peer Mentorship and Positive Embodiment in Young Adults

Background: Late adolescence and emerging adulthood (approximately 18–25 years) is a high-risk period for body dissatisfaction and disordered eating, yet prevention strategies often remain confined to clinical settings. This pilot study evaluated the Body Empowerment Project (BEP), a novel, weight-inclusive curriculum led by medical student near-peer mentors. By integrating peer-level relatability with foundational medical knowledge, BEP aimed to enhance body appreciation and reduce eating disorder risk among college students.

Methods: Thirty-five undergraduates (ages 18–25) at a large university enrolled in an eight-week BEP intervention. Weekly sessions addressed sociocultural pressures, critical media literacy, and strategies for fostering self-compassion. The curriculum’s weight-inclusive framework emphasized overall well-being rather than weight or appearance goals, thereby encouraging positive behaviors and a sense of collective support. Medical students, positioned as near-peer mentors, leveraged their developing clinical skills and personal experiences to create an interactive and empathetic learning environment. Pre- and post-intervention surveys measured Body Appreciation using the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2). Paired t-tests assessed changes in scores, and qualitative feedback further explored participants’ perceptions of the program’s acceptability, cultural responsiveness, and overall impact.

Results: Body appreciation increased significantly post-intervention (Pre: M = 3.28, SD = 0.74; Post: M = 3.64, SD = 0.65; t(34) = −3.49, p = 0.0013). Participants frequently reported newfound self-acceptance and a marked shift away from rigid beauty ideals. Students from marginalized backgrounds, who often navigate compounded identity-based stressors, demonstrated the most substantial gains, suggesting that culturally sensitive, near-peer models may be particularly effective in reducing health disparities. Nevertheless, a subset of individuals exhibited limited or negative score changes, underscoring the importance of tailoring interventions to diverse emotional contexts, personal histories, or stages of readiness.

Conclusion: This pilot study underscores the potential for a medical student–led, near-peer intervention to address body dissatisfaction at a critical developmental juncture. By fusing clinical insight with approachable peer mentorship, BEP offers a community-based strategy that broadens access to body image support beyond traditional clinical care. The positive shifts in body appreciation, coupled with high engagement and retention, highlight the program’s feasibility. Future research featuring larger cohorts, control groups, and extended follow-up will clarify the durability and breadth of BEP’s effects. Ultimately, this model presents a scalable, cost-conscious pathway for integrating preventive mental health strategies into pediatric and adolescent health frameworks, leveraging relatable mentors to foster resilience against disordered eating and promote holistic well-being in emerging adults.