title: Girls on the Run: improvements in self-esteem, body size satisfaction and eating attitudes/behaviors.
abstract: A pilot assessment of a curriculum-based running program geared for girls 8-12 years old (n=322) was implemented to assess influences regarding psychological risk factors leading to disordered eating among girls who participate in sports. Utilizing a pretest/posttest study design, researchers administered questionnaires in pre-program session T(1), and post-program T(2). Statistical tests on self-esteem (t=-10.628, p<0.05), body size satisfaction (t=4.359, p<0.05), and eating attitudes/behaviors (t=4.806, p<0.05) revealed statistically significant improvements from baseline to post program. A sport-training program supplemented with a wellness curriculum may be an effective primary prevention program for disordered eating attitudes and behaviors.
authors.affiliation: School of Community and Environmental Health, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA. rdebate@odu.edu
authors.forename: R DiGioacchino
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: DeBate
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001828:Body Image; D002648:Child; D003479:Curriculum; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012420:Running; D012574:Schools; D013177:Sports; D014481:United States