Volume 27, Issue 5: October, 2000

Abstract

GO GIRLS!: RESULTS FROM A NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME, OVERWEIGHT AFRICAN AMERICAN ADOLESCENT FEMALES

Ken Resnicow, PhD Amy Lazarus Yaroch, PhD Anissa Davis, MS Dongqing Terry Wang, MPH Sakinah Carter, MPH Larisa Slaughter, MS Desiree Coleman Tom Baranowski, PhD

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 educa-tional/ 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 lowattenders, 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.