| Summary: | Eating disorders (ED) constitute a serious public health issue affecting predominantly women and appearing typically in adolescence or early adulthood. EDs are extremely difficult to treat, as these disorders are ego-syntonic, and many patients do not seek treatment. It is vital to focus on the development of successful early-intervention programs for individuals presenting at risk and are on a trajectory towards developing EDs. This study is a randomized controlled trial evaluating an innovative digital gamified Acceptance and Commitment early-intervention program (<i>AcceptME</i>) for young females showing signs and symptoms of an ED and at high risk for an ED. Participants (<i>n</i> = 92; <i>Mage</i> = 15.30 years, <i>SD</i> = 2.15) received either <i>AcceptME</i> (<i>n</i> = 62) or a waitlist control (<i>n</i> = 30). Analyses indicated that the <i>AcceptME</i> program effectively reduced weight and shape concerns with large effects when compared to waitlist controls. Most participants scored below the at-risk cut-off (WCS score < 52) in the <i>AcceptME</i> at end-of-intervention (57.1%) compared to controls (7.1%), with odds of falling into the at-risk group being 14.5 times higher for participants in the control group. At follow-up, 72% of completers reported scores below the at-risk cut-off in the <i>AcceptME</i> group. The intervention also resulted in a decrease in ED symptomatology and increased body image flexibility. Overall, results suggest that the <i>AcceptME</i> program holds promise for early-intervention of young women at risk for developing an ED.
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