Adolescent girls are becoming less physically active and are experiencing more body image issues compared to adolescent boys. Furthermore, adolescent girls maintain physical activity levels well below recommended guidelines, especially girls in urban environments. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an 8-week after-school educational curriculum, GoGirlGo!, and physical activity program on urban adolescent middle school girls’ attitudes toward physical activity and body image. Twenty-five girls ranging in age from 12 to 14 years of age (M = 12.34 years, SD = 2.1) were randomly placed into two groups: (a) GoGirlGo! intervention and physical activity, and (b) physical activity only. The GoGirlGo! group increased their attraction to physical activity and lowered scores in weight dissatisfaction and desire to be slim compared to the physical activity only group. Based on the data, the GoGirlGo! curriculum is effective in improving attitudes about physical activity and body image among urban adolescent girls.
30Research suggests that a girl's career interests in the areas of science, technology, 31 engineering and mathematics (STEM) declines between grades 6 and 8. Similarly, in 32 middle school, there is a decrease in physical activity among girls. Researchers at the 33 University of Rhode Island (URI) conducted a chemistry-based science camp that took 34 place over the public school spring break with the goal of increasing girls' interest in 35 chemistry and physical activity. The camp included 42 middle school aged girls in grades 36 6 through 8 from schools throughout Rhode Island. Interdisciplinary curricula were 37 created to link chemistry with physical activity concepts used in physical education 38 classes. Overall, the girls enjoyed the interdisciplinary curriculum and found the 39 connection between science and physical activity to be interesting; as a result, similar 40 science-based interdisciplinary curricula may have the capacity to promote physical 41 activity as well as STEM career interests in girls. 42
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