PRETA: a digital school program to prevent eating disorders in fifth- and sixth-grade students.
Official title: Effectiveness and Cost-effectiveness of an Online School-based Program for Reducing Risk Factors in Pre-adolescents (PRETA): Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by Servicio Canario de Salud · NCT06792981 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will test a nine‑session online school program (PRETA) to see if it reduces eating-disorder risk and related factors in fifth- and sixth-grade students.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 10 Years to 13 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 1068 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Servicio Canario de Salud Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Santa Cruz de Tenerife) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 10, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2025 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2025 |
| Registry record updated | September 19, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06792981 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are students enrolled in the fifth or sixth year of primary school at participating schools whose legal guardians and responsible teacher provide informed consent and who can engage with online materials.
✕Probably not a fit
Children with significant comprehension difficulties that prevent adequate participation in the online sessions or questionnaires are unlikely to benefit from the program.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The PRETA program is a universal, ICT-delivered prevention intervention culturally adapted from the POtsdam Prevention at Schools (POPS) program for pre-adolescents. It consists of nine online sessions delivered within participating primary schools and targets modifiable risk factors such as body dissatisfaction and unhealthy eating attitudes. The study is a matched-pair cluster randomized trial with schools as clusters, assigning six schools to each arm to compare PRETA with control. Researchers will also conduct an analysis of program efficiency from a social perspective, and participation requires parental consent and adequate student comprehension.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, PRETA could lower the number of pre-adolescents who go on to develop eating disorders by reducing key modifiable risk factors and reaching many students at relatively low cost.
How similar studies have gone: Previous school-based and ICT-facilitated prevention programs, including components of the POtsdam POPS approach, have shown positive effects in at-risk youth, although universal digital interventions for preadolescents are less extensively tested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Enrolled in the fifth or sixth year of primary education. * Informed consent provided by the student's legal guardians and responsible teacher to participate. Exclusion Criteria: * Significant comprehension difficulties that limit adequate participation in the program and questionnaires.
Where it's running
-
Servicio de Evaluación y Planificación del Servicio Canario de Salud
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Yolanda Ramallo-Fariña, PhD in Biomedical Sciences — Servicio de Evaluación del Servicio Canario de la Salud
- Study coordinator: Yolanda Ramallo-Fariña, PhD in Biomedical Sciences
- Email: yolanda.ramallofarina@sescs.es
- Phone: +34922478266
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.