Life, run with it! Girls on the Run of Silicon Valley

Executive Summary>

Data Tables

Locations & Schedules

Girls on the Run:

Pilot Evaluation

Executive Summary

Submitted by:

Rita DiGioacchino DeBate, MPH, Ph.D., CHES

Assistant Professor

Department of Health Behavior and Administration

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

The primary aim of this pilot study was to assess the impact on ethnic group and age of a combination running program/wellness curriculum (Girls on the Run) on self-esteem, body size dissatisfaction, and eating attitudes and behaviors. Based upon the findings of this evaluation sport training supplemented with the wellness curriculum resulted in significant changes in all three of the noted areas for the participants.

The finding that female adolescents who participated in the curriculum based running program had positive impacts on self-esteem is consistent with previous research on adolescent sport participation (Steiner, McQuivey, Pavelski, Pitts, & Kraemer, 2000; Steptoe & Butler, 1996). This is of critical importance because self-esteem has been recognized as an important factor in health behavior and is also a crucial component in adolescent development (Pesa, Syre, & Jones, 2000). Programs that positively impact self-esteem in young females may improve self-concept, body image, and also prevent eating disorders, and reduce the likelihood of adopting risky behaviors.

Twenty-eight program sites representing five geographical locations were identified for participation representing a range of SES and metropolitan areas. Program sites provided a total of 377 program participants. Approval for this study was granted by the primary investigator’s university institutional review board. Parental consent was given for participants prior to participating in the study.

Due to the formative nature of the program, the researchers employed a non-experimental cross-sectional pretest/posttest study design to examine the effectiveness of the 12-week program. Questionnaires were administered before the first program session T(1), and at the end of the last session T(2). No reference group was available

The Intervention Program

The Girls on the Run program is a 12-week (two one-hour sessions per week) experiential learning program for 8-12 year-old girls that combines running (training for a 5k running event) with curriculum-based activities that encourage emotional, social, mental, and physical health in addition to character development. The purpose of the program is to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of healthy living. The objectives of the curriculum include increasing self-esteem, body image, and healthy eating attitudes.

The twelve-week program of life lessons is wrapped into clever and fun running workouts. Each lesson utilized physical activity and experiential learning to teach very specific and well-defined social and personal (character development) skills. The three part curriculum was taught by certified Girls on the Run coaches (each program Coach was trained by the Girls on the Run organization) and includes: Part 1: Understanding themselves and setting personal goals; Part 2: Learning skills to get along in a group; Part 3: Examining their responsibility to the community. Girls also choose and conduct a community service project and complete a 1-mile or 3.1-mile running event with their team members. Coaches at all program sites followed the established program curriculum.

Of those who participated in the pre-test (n=377), 322 also participated in the post-test (85.4%); 55 participants who participated in the pre-test were not available for the post-test. Approximately two-thirds of the participants were Caucasian (63%) while 11.8% identified themselves as Latino, 3.7% as African-American, 2.8% as Asian, and 0.6% as other (see Table 1). The mean age of the participants was 10 years (SD=0.90).

A paired-samples t test was calculated to compare the mean pretest Self-esteem score of 21.37 (sd =3.11) to the mean posttest (post program) score of 23.52 (sd =2.99). Researchers found a significant increase from pretest to posttest (t(320)=-10.628, p<.05).

Utilizing the children’s figural stimuli rating scale, 54.3% of preprogram and 41.9% of post program participants reported wanting to be smaller than their current size. Furthermore, 39.8% of preprogram and 53.7% of post program participants reported being satisfied with their current body size.

Percentages for pre/post program results regarding preoccupation with weight and pressure from others include: “sometimes/always” scared about being overweight (47.5% of participants pretest, 46.3% of participants posttest); “sometimes/always” thinking a lot about being thinner (50% pretest, 40% posttest); “sometimes/always” thinking a lot about having fat on my body (29.8% pretest, 25.5% posttest); “sometimes/always” feel that others pressure me to eat (17.4% pretest, 13.3% posttest), “sometimes/always” think that others would like for me to eat more (14.6% pretest, 17.7% posttest). Table 3 also depicts statistically significant improvements in eating attitudes/behaviors subscales.

Based on pretest results, one-half of the girls reported a desire to be thinner, exactly the same percentage that was found among Australian 8 to 12-year old females (Rolland, Farnill, & Griffiths, 1997). In fact, on numerous occasions it has been reported that many young girls prefer a thinner body size as compared to their current size (Collins, 1991; Williamson & Delin, 2001; Gustafson-Larson & Terry, 1992; Thompson, Corwin, & Sargent, 1997). Completion of this intervention reduced the discrepancy between current and ideal body size, thus decreasing body size dissatisfaction. Researchers have reported that body dissatisfaction is predictive of eating disorder symptoms in adolescent girls; therefore, prevention programs for girls should address body image and size dissatisfaction as did the present curriculum (Killen, et al., 1994; Attie & Brooks-Gunn,1989).

The significant improvements in eating attitudes/behaviors we found when comparing pretest/posttest scores are also noteworthy. After program completion, participants reported lower rates of dieting behaviors, less preoccupation with body weight, and less pressure from others regarding eating. Early adolescence is a difficult transition for girls, one which also marks an increase in weight control behaviors (Smolak & Levine, 1996). A sport training program which is supplemented with a wellness curriculum may be an effective primary prevention program for eating disorders.

Girls on the Run Program Evaluation

Fall 2003 Results

Rita DiGioacchino DeBate

Department of Health Behavior and Administration

College of Health and Human Services

UNC Charlotte

Results

Of those who participated in the pre-test (n=374), two hundred eighty (75%) also participated in the post-test, 94 participants who participated in the pre-test were not available for the post-test. Most of the participants identified themselves as Caucasian (62.1%), while 4.7% identified themselves as African American, 1.9% as Asian, 1.9% as Hispanic, and 1.9% as other (see Table 1). There are 199 participants who did not specify their race. The mean age of the participants was 11.5 years (sd=.707).

Self-Esteem

A paired-sample t-test was calculated to compare the mean pre-test (before the program) self-esteem score of 17.33 (sd = 3.267) to the mean post-test (after the program) mean score of 17.35 (sd=2.875). Researchers found a non-significant increase from pre-test to post-test (t (253) = -.05, p>.05).

During pre-test assessment there were 93.9% of the participants who “strongly agree/agree” they are satisfied with their selves; however, 96% of the post-test participants “strongly agree/agree” they are satisfied with their selves. During pre-test 95.2% of the pre program participants “strongly agree/agree” that they have a number of good qualities about them selves and 97.5% of the post-test participants “strongly agree/agree” that they have a number of good qualities about them selves. Before and after the program the participants feel they have a number of good qualities about them selves and that the program is maintaining the number of participants that feel they have good qualities about themselves. Of the 91.5% of the pre program participants state they “strongly agree/agree” they can do things as well as most other people their age and 94.4% of the post participants “strongly agree/agree” they can do things as well as most other people their age. However, 88% of the pre program participants “strongly agree/agree” they feel they do not have much to be proud of and 89.6% of the post program participants “strongly agree/agree” they feel they do not have much to be proud of. Conversely, 44.7% of the pre program participants strongly disagree/disagree that they feel useless at times and 59.7% of the post program participants strongly disagree/disagree that they feel useless at times. These data indicate that more participants after the program did not feel useless than they felt before the program.

Of the participants who “wish they could have more respect for them selves” 50% strongly disagree/disagree during the pre-test assessment where as 60.3% strongly disagree/disagree during the post-test assessment. Also, 40.6% of the pre-test participants strongly disagree/disagree they “sometimes, feel they a failure” whereas, 39.6% of the post-test participants “sometimes, feel they are a failure” (See Table 2).

Eating Attitudes/Behaviors

The mean pre-test eating attitude/behavior scores (m=19.64, sd=3.121) and the mean post-test scores (m=19.48, sd=3.119) with a paired sample t-test, researchers found non-significant differences (t (253) =.923, p>.05).

Of the pre program participants, 93.8% “always/sometimes” eat breakfast every morning and 95% of the post program participants “always/sometimes” eat breakfast every morning, 83.7% of the pre program participants eat at least two fruits a day where as 85.4% “always/sometimes” eat at least two fruits a day. Also 67.1% of the pre program participants eat at least three vegetables a day and 69.6% of the post program participants eat at least three vegetables a day. Of the pre program participants 97.1% “always/sometimes” think that drinking water is important and 98.9% of the post program participants “always/sometimes” think that drinking water is important. Approximately 91% of the pre program participants “always/sometimes” brush their teeth at least twice a day where as 91.8% of the post program participants brush their teeth at least twice a day. The information above indicates participants are maintaining, and in most cases improving health related behaviors from pre to post program.

Approximately, 80.7% of the pre program participants “always/sometimes” think about wanting to be thinner and 39.7% of the post program participants “always/sometimes” think about wanting to be thinner. There are 30.4% of the pre program participants who “always/sometimes” think a lot about having fat on their bodies whereas 27.8% of the post program participants “always/sometimes” think a lot about having fat on their bodies. The pre program participants (19.0%) stated, they “always/sometimes” have been dieting and 15.3% of the post program participants stated they have “always/sometimes” been dieting. This tells us that fewer participants post program are thinking about body weight and size in addition to dieting after the program then before the program. The majority pre-test participants (90.9%) stated, they “always/sometimes” get at least eight hours of sleep a night and 94.6% of the post program participants get at least eight hours of sleep a night. Researchers have learned that after the program more participants stated they get at least eight hours of sleep a night then pre program results showed. Of the program participants 85.3% wash their hands before they eat and 88.9% of the post program participants wash their hands before they eat. More of the participants after the program wash their hands before they eat than that pre program (See Table 3).

Empowerment

A paired samples t-test was calculated to compare the mean pre-test empowerment score of 19.14 (sd=3.803) to the mean post-test score of 19.74 (sd=2.975). Researchers found a significant increase from pre-test to post-test (t (253) =-2.632, p<.05).

Table 4 depicts the empowerment characteristics of the program participants. Approximately, 97.3% of the pre program participants “always/sometimes” believe in their abilities and 99.6% of the post program participants “always/sometimes” believe in their abilities. Of the pre program participants 97.3% state they “always/sometimes” stick to their dreams and goals even if someone does not agree with them and 99.3% of the post program participants state they “always/sometimes” stick to their dreams and goals even if someone does not agree with them. The pre program participants (98.2%) state they “always/sometimes” try to solve problems instead of worrying about them compared to the post program participants (98.6%) who also state they “always/sometimes” try to solve problems instead of worrying about them. There were 97.9% of the pre program participants who “always/sometimes” keep promises they make to them selves where as 98.6% of the post program participants who “always/sometimes” keep promises they make to them selves. Also there are 91.7% of the pre program participants who “always/sometimes” state they can accept what other people say to better them without getting mad where as 97.8% of the post program participants agreed with the pre program participants. The pre program participants (94.7%) always/sometime can communicate openly and honestly with people and 98.2% of the post program participants can communicate openly and honestly with people as well. Most of the program participants can “always/sometimes” talk to someone when feeling sad (93.3% pre program participants, 93.9% post program participants). These participants also stated, they can “always/sometimes” respect other people’s values even if they are different than theirs (97.3% pre program participants, 100% post program participants), “always/sometimes” believe that it is important to be a good listener (97.1% pre program participants, 98.5% post program participants), “always/sometimes” believe that gossiping can hurt others (95.5% pre program participants, 97.5% post program participants), “always/sometimes” believe that it is important to think positively (97% of the pre program participants, 98.9% of the post program participants), “always/sometimes” believe that it is important to try to understand the other person’s point of view when solving problems (97.3% pre program participants, 99.7% post program participants). Every one of the empowerment questions have been maintained or improved from pre program assessment to post program assessment (See Table 4).

Physical Activity

Table five discusses the physical activity characteristics of the Girls on the Run participants. Of the pre-test participants 70.6% stated, physical activity would help them spend more time with their friends and 66.4% stated physical activity would help them spend more time with their friends. During the pre-test assessment researchers found that more of the participants thought physical activity would help them to spend time with friends than after the program. There is 20.6% of the pre program participants stated, that they would probably get hurt from physical activity where as 79.6% post program participants stated, that they would probably get hurt from physical activity. Researchers learned that after the program more participants thought they would get hurt from physical activity then before the program implementation. There are 91.7% of the pre program participants who stated, they would be healthier from physical activity compared to 87.9% of the post program participants. This shows that before the program more of the participants thought they would be healthier from physical activity then the program participants after the program. There are 40.1% of the pre program participants who stated, that through physical activity they would feel pain and muscle soreness where as 32.5% of the post program participants stated, that through physical activity they would feel pain and muscle soreness. Researchers have found that after the program implementation fewer participants stated, that physical activity would cause pain and muscle soreness. Also, 67.9% of the pre program participants stated, that physical activity would make them look better compared to the 60.7% of the post program participants. Before the program more participants thought physical activity would make them look better than those of the post program participation. Of the pre program participants 61.0% stated, physical activity would make them tired where as 52.1% post program participants’ stated, physical activity would make them tired. This is telling us that more participants before the program thought physical activity would make them tired then the post program participants thought. There are 72.7% of the pre program participants who thought physical activity would give them more energy and 71.4% of the post program participants thought physical activity would give them more energy. This tells us that more of the pre program participants who thought physical activity would give them more energy than those participants of the post program participants. There are 86.6% of the pre program participants who stated, they would not be embarrassed in front of others where as 90% of the post program participants who stated, they would not be embarrassed in front of others. Also, the pre program participants (92.8%) and post program participants (94.3%) stated, that physical activity would be fun. Also, it was stated, that physical activity would help them make new friends (74.6% pre program participants, 78.6% post program participants), get in shape (88.0% pre program participants, 84.3% post program participants). Of the pre program participants 66.3% stated, physical activity would not make them more attractive to boys where as the post program participants 70.0% stated, physical activity would not make them more attractive to boys. The participants stated, that physical activity would not be boring (89.0% pre program participants, 91.1% post program participants). Of the program participants 90.1% thought physical activity would be better at sports then the post program participants, 89.3%. There are 87.7% of the pre program participants who want to be more physically active than those of the post program participants, 73.2%. Also, 91.2% of the pre program participants think they can be more physically active where as 80.7% of the post program participants think they can be more physically active. (See Table 5)