GO GIRLS!: results from a nutrition and physical activity program for low-income, overweight African American adolescent females

Health Educ Behav. 2000 Oct;27(5):616-31. doi: 10.1177/109019810002700507.

Abstract

This article describes the development, implementation, and results of an intervention designed for inner-city, overweight African American adolescent women. Fifty-seven participants were recruited from four public housing developments. Participants were administered physiologic, dietary, and cognitive assessments at baseline and immediately postintervention. Each session comprised three elements: (1) an educational/behavioral activity, (2) 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity, and (3) preparation and tasting of low-fat meals. In the absence of a control group, results were compared for high and low attenders, the former defined as attending at least 50% of the sessions. High attenders (n = 26) showed more favorable 6-month posttest values for most outcomes compared with low attenders (n = 31). These effects achieved statistical significance for nutrition knowledge, low-fat practices, perceived changes in low-fat practices, and social support.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Diet, Reducing
  • Exercise
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • Health Education / methods*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Humans
  • Obesity / drug therapy
  • Obesity / prevention & control*
  • Obesity / psychology
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care*
  • Poverty
  • Program Evaluation
  • Public Housing