An intervention study of pre-teen girls to improve eating behavior and physical activity levels growing optimally, girls improving health and raising levels of self-efficacy (GO-GIHRLS)

Background. Overweight, obesity, and inactivity are increasing at crisis rates in children and adolescents. Studies have shown that long-term, in-school nutrition and/or exercise programs can reduce or slow their progression. Studies indicate that girls respond better to these interventions than boys. Few after-school, all girl, population-based interventions have been studied.;Objective. To determine if an after-school, all-girl nutrition and exercise program can improve nutrition knowledge for healthier eating and increase physical fitness.;Design. Two group, randomized, controlled 12-week intervention using Subjects. Twenty-seven 4th and 5th grade girls only at a public elementary school in northern Illinois 2007-2008 volunteered from a population of 90.;Intervention. 1½ hr sessions held twice a week for 12 weeks. Nutrition education and moderate to vigorous exercise including various aerobic activities and sports. Main outcome measures. Hypothesis formulated prior to data collection. Nutrition/Health Questionnaire and fitness measured with President's Challenge Physical Fitness Test, BMI and waist circumference completed pre and post intervention.;Statistical analyses performed. Mann-Whitney for equivalency of groups, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks for comparison within groups, and Mann-Whitney for comparison between groups.;Results. The intervention group improved (p <.05) in 4 variables tested including nutrition knowledge, waist circumference, shuttle run and curl-ups. A (p<.05) was found for nutrition education and curl-ups between groups.;Conclusion. 12 wk duration sufficient to improve body composition (waist circumference), nutrition knowledge and several physical fitness measures in 4th and 5th grade girls.