Use of a Web-based component of a nutrition and physical activity behavioral intervention with Girl Scouts.
This study describes the development and usage of a Web-based component of a nutrition and physical activity behavioral intervention to promote bone health among preadolescent girls. Thirty Girl Scout troops were randomized to either an intervention or control group for a 2-year period. Girls in the intervention troops (aged 10 to 12 years, N=194) were exposed to grade-specific Web sites that were developed to reinforce the content of the broader, face-to-face intervention. In 5th grade, 82% of the girls logged on once and 48% logged on more than once, compared to 56% and 23% of 6th graders, respectively. Results suggest that although Web-site usage decreased over time, a Web-site program may be useful as a component of a face-to-face, multicomponent intervention. More research is needed to determine ways to enhance and maintain Web-site use over time among youth in health-behavior intervention programs.
Rydell
Sarah A
SA
Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55454, USA.
French
Simone A
SA
Fulkerson
Jayne A
JA
Neumark-Sztainer
Dianne
D
Gerlach
Anne Faricy
AF
Story
Mary
M
Christopherson
Kyle K
KK
D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology
D002136:Calcium, Dietary